Ken Knowles: Lichfield's Town Crier

Photograph © Ken Knowles

Oyez! Oyez! Oyez! With a resounding voice and ringing his bell Ken Knowles, the Lichfield Town Crier, made a dramatic entrance and announced himself as our guest speaker.

Ken was a teacher for 37 years and, after retirement in 2009, he applied for the post and was appointed town crier. He looked resplendent in his uniform with his black tricorn hat, red embroidered jacket and black leggings with silver buttons each side from knee to ankle. His wife, Marilyn, who accompanied him, helped to design and make his costume.

Repeatedly ringing his bell, he made us want to listen to his proclamation...

We learnt that town criers seem to have originated in around 1066, when people would gather in town squares to hear news and proclamations. The word Oyez dates back to Norman times and means listen to this. Ken also told us of the history of Lichfield, which is regarded as a city of philosophers and has the motto Hail Great Mother. Lichfieldians are proud of their most famous resident Dr Samuel Johnson (born in 1709) and the magnificent St Chad's cathedral and the city's many other listed buildings.

Ken acts as sword bearer and Master of Ceremonies at official events and has travelled the world entering, and sometimes winning, town crier competitions. He usually has to compose verses for these events and he concluded his talk with one of his winning entries...it is obviously something he enjoys.

Amongst other stories, he made us laugh when he related the time he posed in full regalia for a local art group. We couldn’t imagine him sitting still for hours without telling stories and entertaining his audience. He is such a character, dedicated to his duties but full of fun, and we much enjoyed his informative, yet light hearted, talk.