Oyez! Listen to the Towncrier, he Knows what's on

Stephen Symons, Christchurch's towncrier He is a colourful appearance on Cathedral Square. And not just that. He is loud. He does not need a microphone to be heard over the whole place. Every weekday when the Cathedral's bells are silent after the noon bells have told, the Towncrier takes a handbell to attract the people's attention, and shouts: "Oyez, oyez", which sounds like the Spanish word for "Listen"", and that is exactly what it means, although its origins are anglo-norman. Then he opens a big scroll and reads out what's on in the city - which BTW is good information for locals and tourists who do not have plans for the day or the evening yet. The tradition of towncriers dates back to the Middle Ages, and like then their job is to make public announcements, but the innovation of their costumes somehow stopped in the 18th century. So you will spot the Christchurch towncrier in his spectacular historical costume rather easily. He wears a rich red robe, black breeches, white stockings, and a black cocked (or: tricorne) hat. Like in the days long gone by, the towncrier is employed by the City Council. Stephen Symons is the man who has been doing this job in Christchurch for 18 years (as June 2007). He is on Cathedral Square on weekdays from 11am to 1pm - but not like the Wizard who has reduced his freelance work to summer and sunny days, he shouts his information over the Square year-round. On normal days he works three hours but during special events he also guides tours and has official tasks, so it can happen that he walks around in his spectacular costume up to 40 or 50 hours per week. Of course he is a great object for tourist photos. He also talks to tourists. But whereas he knows everything that's on in Christchurch I would not believe everything he tells you about other regions. When I was there the other day he told American tourists they should not walk on the glaciers of the West Coast because every now and then a visitor would die there, falling into crevasses. Which, of course, is absolutely not true if you go on a guided tour.