Dorchester town crier Alistair Chisholm set for final call

Alistair Chisholm has been Dorchester's town crier for 27 years

An award-winning town crier is stepping down after almost three decades of booming proclamations.

Alistair Chisholm is set to make his last cry as Dorchester's town crier at midnight on New Year's Eve in Dorset.

During his 27 years in the traditional role, he has announced events such as the Coronation of Charles III and the 2012 Olympic torch relay.

He said it had been a "fun thing to do" and described how "wind" was the most important thing to achieve a good cry.

The role of town crier dates back to medieval times when they would announce news and royal proclamations to a largely illiterate population.

Mr Chisholm, 78, said he was first inspired after he stepped in to commentate on maypole dancing at a village fete.

"You can be walking down the main shopping street on a wet February day and people look up and see a fellow in a funny three-cornered hat and an outrageous uniform and it just puts a smile on people's faces," he said.

Mr Chisholm is also a tour guide in Dorchester

"It's a fun thing to do and challenging at times, of course. Wind is the important thing - both in the chest and outside, if it's blowing in the right direction.

"I'm very sorry to be finishing. On the other hand I'm very anxious this traditional role continues - it's a jolly good way of promoting the town and keeping the community together," he added.

During his time, he has won the National Town Crier Championships on multiple occasions - in 2021 he was crowned national champion a record-equalling 11th time.

In 1999, he came second in the Town Crier World Championships in Vancouver, Canada.

He also won a "silent" town crier contest in the same year, judged on written entries due to the Covid pandemic.

His final cry will be ushering in the new year at Dorchester's Town Pump on Cornhill.

Mr Chisholm also works as a tour guide in the area and was elected as the town's mayor earlier this year.