Champion Bert takes the mike

National Champion Town Crier Bert Waldron “cheated” in Torrington on Saturday morning. He jumped into a loudspeaker van and toured the streets, ringing his bell and making his announcements using a microphone. But Bert was “found out” when a Gazette cameraman and reporter stopped the van in Well Street for this picture to be taken. He had, however, a good excuse for although he has the country’s champion voice after retaining the national Town Crier’s title at Hastings, the gale-force wind in Torrington on Saturday morning made his task of a clear announcement difficult.

So he rang and called over the microphone in Mr Tom Squire’s loudspeaker van.

Said Mr Squires, “The wind is extra strong to-day and as I had to make an announcement over the ‘speakers’ as well, we agreed that Bert could cry over them, too.” Said Bert, with a lough, “Yes, I’m doing a little bit of cheating, but I want the announcement of sound clearer in this strong wind.”

Gazette article dated 9 January 1959