It's the age of the information superhighway ... or so you thought

Colchester is to buck the global trend, and take a gentile step back in time with weekly announcements from the town crier, Robert Needham.

From June 13, Mr Needham will be giving lunchtime addresses to the people from the Culver Centre every Friday.

Each announcement will be non-commercial and intended to promote the variety of events happening in the town.

Mr Needham, who became town crier in 1997 and last year came third in the national town crier competition, said he got the idea after seeing a town crier in Harrogate.

He said: "I was truly impressed by the resident town crier at the time. He came to the central park and announced a number of attractions that were going to take place during the week ahead. His inspiration remains with me today."

Mr Needham is a member of The Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers and The Loyal Company of Town Criers

Published Tuesday, June 3, 2003

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