Looking back at the history of town criers in Dorchester

First appearing in the 1800s, town criers, also referred to as a bellman, had an important role of telling major news and events to the townspeople who were otherwise illiterate.

This included the coronation of monarchs, as well as new laws in the town.

Dorchester's Alistair Chisholm stepped down from the role in December after 27 years and so we are taking a look back at the town's former criers throughout history. 

The first reported town crier was Thomas Mills, who took up the position in 1855. This is according to a Post Office Trade Directory of Dorsetshire from the same year.

Next to take on the role in 1875 was Henry Mills, who was no relation to Thomas. He was married three times and was a Cordwainer by trade. He was a fish merchant with a shop in the town, but records from the newspaper, the Poole Telegram from Friday, December 28, 1883, showed he filed for bankruptcy. He passed away in Fordington in 1900, aged 82.

John Lovelace took on the role from 1875 to 1885. John was described as a carpenter and beer seller and lived at the Railway Tavern on South Street. He was in the role until he passed away.

Following his passing, a report in the Blandford and Wimborne Telegram dated Friday, August 7, announced that several applications for the office were received, but the vacancy not having been advertised at the time meant that they were not considered. It was decided to advertise.

James Vincent was next to take the reins of the job in 1886. He had 14 children and was shown to be in be in the role in 1895 in a Kelly’s Directory. James passed away in 1910, aged 64.

William Hellier is thought to have taken on the role at the start of the First World War. He was the son, and 14th child of James Vincent, the previous crier. He passed away in 1923 and was in the role until 1920.

Harry Payne took became the next booming presence within the town. He was a Public Walks Keeper and took on the position for 11 years until 1931. He passed away in 1950.

The period between 1932 to 1978 shows no record of town criers for the town. Part of this is because the Post Office stopped producing these records, and further research needs to be conducted into this blank spot.

In 1978, Bob Walker emerged as town crier, and was pictured here with Ken Baily, Bournemouth and England cheerleader on December 12, 1981.

The two were on opposite sides that day as AFC Bournemouth travelled to Dorchester to play the Magpies in the FA Cup. The game finished 1-1.

Alistair Chisholm made the role his own in 1997 - becoming the longest serving crier in the town, winning national awards along the way.

Now the town has recently added Anthony Harrison to this list.

The information was compiled by Richard Smith and Michael Russell of the Dorset Online Parish Council (OPC). The OPC is a database of historic data to any parish in Dorset to make it freely available.

Dorset has one of the best, and most complete OPCs, according to Mr Smith.

“I was surprised when I went to start the research into criers how few records there were and information that was kept on them,” Mr Smith said.

It was only when he found a booklet produced for the council in the 1970s, that he saw a mention of the role, which took him on his journey.