Chester town crier David Mitchell is calling for help from the public with a book he is writing

Sep 24 2009 by Paul Mannion, Chester Chronicle

Chester town crier David Mitchell is calling for help from the public with a book he is writing

BELL ringing town criers have been a part of Chester since the middle ages. Now the city’s current incumbent is writing a book chronicling the long association.

Chester town crier and bellman David Mitchell, who recently came runner up in the British championships, is hoping the citizens of Chester can help him find out more about some of the myths and legends he has uncovered.

He said: “I was given a poem about a town crier called John Jeffery who was Chester’s bellman from 1874 until 1897. In the story he was approached by a stranger in Chester who had come from America and lost their dog. In those days if you lost anything you could give the town crier a few shillings and he would go around announcing it.

“As he does so, Jeffery and the stranger begin to chat. The stranger explains that he has come to Chester from America.

“The search for the dog proves to be unsuccessful, and eventually the two of them go into the Coach and Horses, Northgate Street, for a glass of Barlow’s beer.

“Eventually Jeffery is overjoyed to realise that the stranger sitting opposite is in fact his very own son who had emigrated.

“I am hoping to find out more about the poem, how it came to be written? How much truth is it based on?”

Mr Mitchell is also hoping to find the whereabouts of his predecessor Mike Chittenden, who was town crier from 1981 until 1991.

“The book is pretty much written,” added David, who has been town crier for more than 10 years. I’m just filling in some gaps.”

Anyone with any information can contact David on 01244 311 736 or email david@chesterrowncriers.com.