Chesham mourns death of Town Crier

8:00am Sunday 5th December 2010

TRIBUTES have been paid to Chesham's Town Crier Eric Watsham,
who died last weekend following a long illness.

Mr Watsham, who became the town's first Town Crier after a special competition at the 2004 Chesham Festival, died after battling against cancer. He was 75.

Flags in The Broadway were this week being flown at half mast in tribute to the Hillside resident.

Cllr Chris Spruytenburg, who was Mayor of Chesham when Mr Watsham was appointed Town Crier, said news of his death came on “an extremely sad day”.

Paying tribute to Mr Watsham, Cllr Spruytenburg said: “Eric had the necessary qualifications for the job. He had a commanding voice and was also very conscientious, had a good sense of humour, a way with words and he added colour to the town at important events.

“On big occasions he was there ringing his bell and booming out the good news.

“He was well known in the town and became even better known and better loved when he took on the role.”

Cllr Spruytenburg said Mr Watsham, a member of the Chesham Theatre Company, continued with his duties even while he was receiving chemotherapy treatment.

“He came along to the opening of the Chesham Museum at its new home and did a sterling job there,” he said. “He did a wonderful job right to the end.

“He's going to be a hard act to follow. He was a very special guy and I'm sure he will be remembered.”

Mr Watsham became the inaugural Chesham Town Crier after a senior member of the ‘Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers’ judged him the winner of the town crying competition at the Chesham Festival in 2004.