Island's first town crier seeks special bell

The recently appointed first ever town crier for the Isle of Sheppey in Kent is seeking a special new bell.

Bruce Horton was selected by a committee for the voluntary position in February.

"It's what every town crier needs, and I'd really like one with strong links to the island itself," Horton said.

But the 61-year-old said as the first of his kind, there was no bells with historic links to the area he could access.

"Yes, there are plenty available in shops, but I'd rather one from an old church here, or a school that's since shut down," Horton said.

"A former school bell would be particularly good, like the type that were rung to signal the start and end of each break time back in the day.

"I think that would be very appropriate."

Horton has also recently applied for membership with The Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers, which was set up in 1973.

"Town criers have an amazing history. There used to be one in every town and village until the advent of newspapers saw their numbers dwindle," he said.

"Then, about a hundred years ago, they reemerged as a sort of tourism and heritage idea."

Horton added that he would be in his new role in time for the month-long Festival of Sheppey, which begins in June.

"Hopefully, I'll also have my Sheppey-related bell by then," he said.

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