WHITEHAVEN'S town crier is looking ahead to carrying a centuries-old tradition into 2024.

Whitehaven is one of the only towns in the country to still have someone in the historic role.

Speaking about the heritage of the position, a spokesperson for the town crier's office said: "For decades, the crier was the senior partner in Goughs and he read out the annual market charter each August.

"When he retired, Rob Romano became the crier, and with community fundraising, robes, and a hat were purchased. The bell is historic to Whitehaven and was donated by St James' church.

"Last August, Whitehaven marked the 300th anniversary of the market shouts as the criers' calls are named - although it’s likely there was a crier for several decades before they took on the market shouts, as criers had semi-judicial roles.

"They were responsible for reading the news to locals, many of whom were illiterate. They announced, as they still do today, major national ceremonial news and also reports from courts.

"Whitehaven's current crier is Marc Goodwin but when he was unable to do the important Lamas Market Shout in August 2023, retired schoolteacher Anthony Payne stepped into the role.

"Whitehaven's crier is one of only two left in Cumberland, with the other being Dave Hall in Keswick.

"The crier is supported by a committee consisting of Rob Romano the former crier, Marc Goodwin, author Louise Savage, and Marlene Jewell the clerk to Whitehaven Town Council."

Louise Savage said: "We are all proud to help play a role in keeping this history alive and Marc our current crier is as dedicated to the role as Rob was and it’s lovely to watch him doing a shout.

"I would also like to pay tribute to Anthony as well for stepping into the role last year. I’m sure we will be calling on him again."

The position of town crier is an increasingly rare one, nationally. One of the country's best town criers will be retiring, according to national news reports, after 30 years of service to the historic town of Dorchester in Dorset. The Telegraph reports that Alistair Chisholm, 78, has won the National Town Crier Championships a record equalling 11 times. 

They explain that he now hopes to pass the mantle onto the next generation.