Modern Town Crier Duo Breaks Centuries-Old Tradition in Petersfield
In a delightful twist on a tradition that has endured for nearly a millennium, a couple from the Hampshire market town of Petersfield is ringing in a new era. Faye Thompson has made history as the town's first official female town crier, while her husband, Martin Johnson, proudly serves as her deputy, marking a rare and refreshing role reversal.
From Pandemic Cheer to Historic Role
Faye, a children's entertainer by profession, first caught the attention of council staff during the Covid-19 pandemic. To lift spirits in a challenging time, she would stroll through stores and along the high street with a pair of giant toy orangutans named Lemonade and Daisy, spreading joy and positivity. This act of kindness led the town council to invite her to bring some lightheartedness to people queuing for their vaccinations, which ultimately paved the way for her groundbreaking victory at the 2023 town crier competition.
"Oh my goodness, it was just a really amazing moment of my life," Faye recalled. "I vowed then that it is a position of power, and I will not misuse it."
A Dynamic Partnership in Action
Within a year of securing the voluntary position, Faye approached the council to appoint Martin as her deputy, and he was "voted straight in." This arrangement allows the couple to swap roles seamlessly whenever needed, embodying a modern approach to a historic duty. Their partnership has seen them officiate at nine King's Coronation celebrations, the opening of an ice cream parlour, a tree planting ceremony, and even a peace treaty between the neighbouring towns of Gosport and Portsmouth—resolving differences that date back to the English Civil War.
"We do everything together because being married to Faye is a lot of fun," said Martin. "The traditional town crier is the big beard and big belly, but these are modern times. The role of the town crier has changed. So, me being a modern man, I'm quite happy to be consort to my wife."
Embracing Change and Community Spirit
Faye expressed gratitude for Martin's unwavering support, noting the rarity of female town criers and the warmth with which they have been embraced. "Martin really does support me in pushing me forward," she said. "Especially when every now and then, I can ring the bell and say to him, 'Can you make me a cup of coffee please?' It's lovely to be embraced like this."
Recently, the couple collaborated with Innocent Drinks to promote a serious health message, using their voices to advocate for a healthy start to the day, as 83% of Britons miss their five-a-day target. Martin emphasized that their motivation stems from bringing joy to others: "There's a lot of negativity in life so I think it's important to counterbalance that and to not dwell on it. We're cheerful people. We love dressing up. We're actors. We like being out there among people. It's about bringing communities together. I think it's more important now than it's ever been."
This inspiring duo continues to challenge norms, proving that tradition can evolve with positivity and partnership at its heart.
