The search is on for a town crier.

Oakham Town Council wants to appoint an old fashioned public announcer to act as 'an iconic figure who will help strengthen civic pride, enhance council visibility, and celebrate Oakham's heritage through a blend of ceremonial presence and practical communication'.

The role will be unpaid but the town council will provide the person who takes on the role with a new uniform, and is proposing to set aside a budget of £450 for that outfit.

It will decide at its full council meeting on Wednesday (October 8) whether to go ahead with the idea which is being put forward by Councillor Paul Ainsley.

The job description says the successful candidate must have "a sound knowledge of Oakham—its history, character, and community—is essential. The town crier is expected to either possess or actively develop this local understanding to ensure their cries are both meaningful and contextually appropriate".

The council also says the person must be 'clean, smart' and have a 'cheerful manner' and always be polite and in good humour.

But the town council, which has itself been involved in a number of internal disputes over the past year, will be strict if the person does not fulfil what is asked of them.

The report says: "Please note that any individual found by Oakham Town Council to be in serious breach of the above conditions, or otherwise deemed to have brought the position into disrepute, will be subject to immediate dismissal from the role of town crier.

"Furthermore, any person dismissed under such circumstances will be permanently ineligible to hold the post at any future time." 

This is the second time the council has proposed the idea of a town crier, as in 2021 it advertised and former mayor Adam Lowe was appointed but did not, in the end, carry out any public engagements.

Rutland's county town has a long association with town criers and in the 19th Century the role was held by three members of the Ellingworth family.

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