Town crier debate rumbles on

OYEZ, oyez... Saddleworth is inching nearer to having its own town crier.

Parish councillors spent more than 20 minutes debating the issue at Monday’s meeting of Saddleworth Parish Council - prompting frustrated chairman Graham Sheldon to declare: “No wonder people ask what the parish council does. Comments have been negative and obstructive.”

Issues were raised after Councillor Sheldon revealed a likely candidate had been interviewed to fill the post, which has been talked about for months.

Councillors were shown pictures of a red top coat with brass buttons and white rose emblem the prospective candidate had produced after the discussion.

Said Councillor Sheldon: “He was already a deputy town crier in another part of the borough and believed he may be able to assist us. He was very pleasant.”

Other councillors argued a sub-committee appointed to find the town crier had been bypassed.

It was decided to ask the candidate to attend the parish council’s Christmas meeting.