Colchester town crier Robert Needham retires from the role

Robert Needham, 83, of Wivenhoe, has been Colchester’s town crier for 27 years and is retiring tomorrow morning when he hands over to his successor, Rennie Chivers, following a meeting with mayor Leslie Scott-Boutell.

A town crier is someone who is employed to make public announcements or proclamations to the public in the streets of a town or city.

For Mr Needham, a retired policeman, his interest in town crying started when he was attending a conference in Harrogate, Yorkshire, with some friends.

On the job - Robert Needham as the city's town crier (Image: Robert Needham) When visiting the area, the peaceful atmosphere was broken when an “impressive” man “with a large bell” started shouting, and Robert thought it was “absolutely fantastic” and wanted to do it himself one day.

In 1997, with the blessing of Colchester Council, Robert became the city’s town crier and has appeared at many prestigious events.

But now Mr Needham is ready to retire.

He said: “I will miss the excitement, I will miss the sense of occasion.

Hear ye, hear ye - Robert Needham in 2016 “On big events with lots of people around, there is a definitely feel you need to make a good show.

“After a good number of years, I’m getting to that stage, it is probably a natural run, if you don’t enjoy it anymore, it is time to hang the bell up.

“It has been a great honour to represent Colchester, and I’ve got loads of town crier colleagues and I am sure in their minds they think I have represented the city well.”

His “proudest moment” in his career was when he proclaimed to King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla during their visit to Colchester in March last year.

Royal visit - Robert Needham with King Charles and the Queen Consort Camilla outside Colchester Castle last year (Image: Robert Needham) Mr Needham can fondly remember how traffic was not allowed into the city centre, so he got a train from Wivenhoe to Colchester in his full town crier attire.

He found the stares and questions from fellow commuters “quite amusing” on the day.

Mr Needham was also crowned European Champion at the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers European Championships, in Ninoeve, Belgium, from 2004 to 2006.

He said: “It was a three-day competition, we had to have a cry off, it was in the town square, the final battle, and I came out with more points.

Honoured - Robert Needham during the 80th anniversary of D-Day commemorative ceremony in June (Image: Newsquest) “I can remember it was very nerve wracking to find myself in the final, after that it was a big outburst, It was an absolute delight.”

Although he is concluding his time as town crier, Mr Needham plans to continue with his very “busy life” and always has “lots” on.

Mr Needham also thinks Mr Chivers will do a fantastic job moving forwards.

He said: “I am very confident it will be in good hands; he is a very professional person, he is also a retired police officer.”