Beaminster Town Criers, Sergeants at Mace and Bill Posters

Beaminster Town Criers

1865 William Longman STRONG born at Mudford, Somerset son of John a farmer and Sarah Strong. Married Emma Smith at Beaminster in July 1842 and in 1850 was a baker there, but in the 1851 census was a police constable. In 1861 was again a baker, then in May 1865 on baptism of his son Thomas was Town Crier there. He died at Beaminster in August 1870.

1871 Henry MEECH born at Beaminster August 1841 son of George a butcher and Charlotte Meech. In 1861 was a farm labourer living at home before in 1864 he married Mary Crabb at Beaminster. In 1867 was recorded as a butcher, but in the 1871 census was the Town Crier. He died at Beaminster in October 1877.

1898-1935 Sydney J K NORRIS born Stoke Abbot in 1866 son of John a Farm Labourer and Elizabeth Norris. Married Angelina Buglar at Beaminster in Sept. 1888 and worked as a groom / servant, a postman and later as landlord of the Bell and Crown Inn. He died at Beaminster in 1935.

1939-1952 Robert John (Bob) GREENING born at Beaminster in 1887 son of Harry a carpenter and Eliza Greening. Married Winifred Loud at Bridport in 1916, and worked as a carpenter, later in 1939 was a newsagent and bill poster, a role often associated with Town Crier. He died in 1958.

2009-2019 David CRANER born about 1946, David also served as Town Crier for Seaton and Crewkerne.

Bill Posters

1881-1891 Samuel QUARRELL born at Beaminster in 1837, son of James and Sarah Quarrell. Married Caroline Bowditch at Yeovil, Somerset in 1860 and was a labourer in the 1871 census. The 1881 and 1891 census returns list him as Bill Poster but he then died at Beaminster in October 1892