Ely Appoints New Town Crier, Matthew Routledge Set to Begin Role

Residents of Ely are soon to experience the familiar call of “Oyez, oyey, oyez” as the city prepares to welcome its new town crier. Matthew Routledge is scheduled to make his inaugural appearance early next year, undertaking this position in conjunction with his sales and events responsibilities for the City of Ely Council. Historically, the town crier fulfilled a vital function in daily life, serving as the monarch’s spokesperson and delivering announcements concerning public holidays, declarations of war, and new taxes. Today, the role is ceremonial; in Ely, the town crier participates in events such as the city’s Eel Day and the mayor-making ceremony. Mr. Routledge, who described taking on the position as an immense honour, stated that he would not be “announcing any increase in taxation or criminal proceedings”. He further added: “It now offers a wonderfully curious piece of pageantry, a celebration of the rich traditions of the United Kingdom, and one that I feel deeply privileged to undertake.” The customary three-time repetition of “Oyez” persists, a term that originally conveyed the meaning “To hear”. The post in Ely was previously held by Cecilia De-Boer. She assumed the role following long-serving crier Avril Hayter-Smith, who occupied the position for two decades. A competition was conducted in October as part of the city’s Apple and Harvest Fayre, during which candidates were required to compose a “cry” based on the harvest theme. The council specified that the successful candidate needed to possess a loud voice and “creative flair” to enable them to formulate appropriate cries for various events. Ely Mayor Chris Phillips remarked: “I am quite certain that he will be an enthusiastic and committed holder of the office.” Updates on Cambridgeshire news are available via BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external sites. Details concerning our approach to external linking are provided.