Town Crier offers resignation over personal Facebook post

Shaw and Crompton Town Cryer Marcus Emms has received support on Facebook

The Shaw and Crompton Town Crier has offered his resignation after being criticised over the use of an "offensive" word on his personal Facebook page.

Marcus Emms, who has been performing duties as the town crier for three years, published a personal post about his son in which he jokingly used the term "pikey".

Mr Emms - who also attends events for free as Father Christmas - said the word was a nick name for his son, which is used within his family only.

He went on to explain how an unnamed councillor objected to the post leading to his offer of resignation.  In a post on the official Shaw and Crompton Town Crier page, Mr Emms "whole-heartedly" apologised to anyone who was offended.

"It is with much personal sadness I have today offered my resignation as Town Crier. I was criticised for something that I posted on my personal Facebook Page by a Councillor, about my own child.

"It's the nick name we use for him at home is my only defence, with the words that I am the Town Crier and shouldn't be using such words as I represent the town.

"Rather than bring further shame and distress to the people of Shaw and Crompton I resigned with immediate effect. If I offended anyone else then I whole heartedly apologise. I love our small town and it was an honour to represent you all and I have many fond memories of representing the town and the people in it."

Comments on the post have been unanimously positive with residents of Shaw and beyond offering support for Mr Emms, and urging him not to resign over the matter.

Josie Lewis posted "Sorry to hear this news....are any of our councillors perfect in their behaviour...I think we all know the answer to that."

Samantha Bowles added "You have put your heart and soul into your role which I know has been greatly appreciated by the people of Shaw."

Maxine Horton expressed her appreciation at Mr Emms' role in Shaw saying "Don't you dare resign! You're an asset to Shaw & Crompton and certainly don't bring shame or distress to anyone, in fact quite the opposite. What you say on your personal page is no-ones business but yours. Please please take back your resignation"

Andrew Thorpe summed up what many were saying on the page, suggesting Mr Emms was "An asset lost to an ever increasing political PC bo****ks world."

Just last week, Oldham’s Mayor, Councillor Ginny Alexander presented him with a distinguished Mayors Appreciation award on his 50th birthday.

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