Chris Brown named town crier of Windsor and Maidenhead

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-20206494

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A web designer has been appointed town crier for Windsor and Maidenhead.

Chris Brown, 44, who is the borough's first town crier for 90 years, described his new voluntary job as "an absolute honour and a privilege".

He runs his own web design business in Windsor and also volunteers as a guide at Windsor and Royal Borough Museum.

Mr Brown beat three other contenders to land the role, which was judged by the borough's mayor, three councillors and a BBC radio presenter.

'Public cry-off'

"It is an absolute honour and a privilege - I am utterly delighted," he said.

"I'm meant to be working but I can't stop thinking about my livery - I've just been looking at a website dedicated to 18th Century men's shoes."

Mr Brown said he was pleased to be part of the town's history and added he would "treasure the role forever".

A toastmaster, a taxi driver and a company director also auditioned for the role during a "public cry-off" in Windsor last Wednesday.

The candidates were judged by Mayor of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Colin Rayner, councillors Eileen Quick, Richard Kellaway and Alan Mellins, and BBC Radio Berkshire presenter Rory McAllister.

Also at the event was Peter Dauncey, director of the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers, and vice-chairman Owen Collier.