City of Pembroke 's Town Crier

Attention all good ladies and gentlemen! After a challenging competition at the Pembroke Armouries, former City Councillor, Dave Henderson , has been named the Town Crier for the City of Pembroke .

The contestants, after receiving coaching from Daniel Richer , Official Crier for Canada 's National Capital Region, first read from a prepared script, and then had one minute to engage the audience and tell them why they should be chosen as Town Crier.

Mr. Henderson spoke eloquently and loudly about the beauty of the Pembroke and the Ottawa Valley , and how he would be honoured to represent it. The audience definitely appreciated his efforts and voted with their clapping and cheering to declare him the clear winner of the competition.

Mr. Henderson 's first appearance will be before the City of Pembroke Council , where he will be declared the City's official crier, whose duties will include making special announcements and proclamations on behalf of Council. He will also be fitted with a uniform, tri-corn hat, and a bell.
As the City celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2008, as well as 18 decades of settlement along the Ottawa River , it is expected that the Town Crier will have a very busy year.

About Dave Henderson , Pembroke's Official Town Crier

Dave Henderson is an award winning journalist and writer, who has worked as a producer, reporter and anchor for CBC , CTV and City TV affiliate stations in Eastern Ontario . He currently writes occasional opinion columns for the Daily Observer in Pembroke and the Ottawa Citizen . Mr. Henderson is a former councillor with the City of Pembroke and is currently the Fundraising Coordinator for the Renfrew County Unit of the Canadian Cancer Society. When not raising funds to help fight cancer, Mr. Henderson can be found on parade and in concert as the drummer for the Pembroke Legion Community Band, or in churches where he serves as a Christian lay preacher and singer.

Booking contact information:

Dave Henderson ,
Pembroke Town Crier 613-735-2571 (w) 613-735-4299 (h)

towncrier@pembroke.ca

What is a Town Crier?

A Town Crier makes proclamations and announcements for his or her town or community.
Criers attend functions or celebrations and ring their bell to get everyone's attention before reading a special announcement or proclamation from a scroll. Criers normally cry loudly and clearly so that all can hear.

They use the traditional opening word "OYEZ! [ oh yeah!] which is a very old French term meaning "To Hearken" or "Hear YE!"

Once having read the "Cry" or message in a suitable fashion to all assembled, the Crier traditionally finishes with the words "God Save The Queen" or "God Bless Canada!" whilst raising their hat.

Why do Town Criers wear a historical uniform or costume?

Town Criers wear a uniform from a period of history of their own choosing. Some prefer the 18th century dress and others Victorian or renaissance style.

Uniforms often depict the colours of a city crest or coat of arms. Years ago many criers were old soldiers or sailors. Some of today's criers choose similar outfits.

History of Town Crying*

Town Criers go far back in history to a time when people in towns and villages where mainly illiterate. The Crier was the latter-day newsman, reading the proclamations and news to all in the village square. Ancient Greeks maybe have used this system of communication far earlier than this, but no documentation of this exists. However, the first ever documented Criers go back to 1066, after the Norman invasion of England.

Criers were regularly used after this by the ruling King or Queen to inform all the citizens of their orders and decrees. To this day old English law still protects Criers from “being Hindered or Heckled whilst carrying out their duties.”

A little known fact is that the term "Posting A Notice" actually comes from the act of the Town Crier, who, having read his message to the Townspeople would attach it to the door post of the local Inn or Tavern, so that it could be read by anyone who could read it for themselves. (Normally only the clergy and wealthy land owners were educated enough to do this).

For the most part the citizens of the towns relied on the crier for the latest information, be it good or bad news. These could include Famine, War, Feast, Taxation Changes, etc. Remember there was no radio, television or internet in olden days!

Criers were not always men. Many Town Criers were women. Bells were not the only attention getting device. In Holland a Gong was the instrument of choice for many, and in France they used a Drum, or a Hunting Horn.

Criers were often old military veterans who could read and write but who had fallen on hard times. The position of Town Crier gave them employment and a pension rather than turning to a life of crime, as so often happened to the veterans in days gone by. The position of Town Crier has often been passed from one generation to the next.

* From the Ontario Guild of Town Criers

What is Town Crier's function today?

Today Town Criers are a tribute to the heritage and history of the communities they serve. They bring ceremony, style and a sense of occasion to events, as well as a touch of humour. As well as appearing in various capacities for their municipality, Town Criers are available for private functions, including grand openings and ceremonies, weddings and other functions.