Retiring town crier says role was 'dream come true'

Mike Kean-Price has been Tewkesbury's town crier for nearly 26 years

A town crier has said getting the job was "his dream come true" as an advert for his replacement goes live.

Michael Kean-Price, who became Tewkesbury's town crier in 1998, is retiring after nearly 26 years in the role due to ill health.

He had dreamt of becoming town crier since he was 10, when he saw former crier Ted Preston at work on the day of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953.

Anyone over the age of 18 can apply for the historic role, but they must show they will "put Tewkesbury first".

Mr Kean-Price said he would continue the role if he could

Mr Kean-Price, 81, has found himself at the helm of national events locally through his role.

The only time he has been "in tears" on the job, he said, was on the day the Queen Mother died in 2002.

In 2011, Mr Kean-Price received a handwritten "thank you" note from the now-Princess of Wales, following her wedding to Prince William.

Mr Kean-Price had cried from the top of Tewkesbury Abbey's tower on the day of the couple's wedding, with a video sent directly to the newlyweds.

Speaking to BBC Radio Gloucestershire, Mr Kean-Price said it had been his "life's ambition" to become Tewkesbury's town crier, but he can no longer climb the abbey's tower.

"You have to put the town first," he said.

"My legs have given out, if I could get a new pair of legs, I'd die on this job.

"I don't want to stop but we have traditions here."

Tewkesbury Town Council is accepting applications for the next town crier

Every year, he leads the Remembrance procession, a tradition he hoped will keep going.

Tewkesbury Town Council is now taking applications for Mr Kean-Price's replacement, with the successful candidate being the one to impress the most in a "shout-off".

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