Town Crier off to Washington, DC for special job
By Chris Spencer
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St. George's Town Crier David Frith welcomes Bermuda to The Somers Day 2009 celebration
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Washington DC will resonate with the sounds of Bermuda St. George's Town Crier David Frith is travelling there to add pomp and circumstance to a charitable event.
Fresh on the heels of representing the Old Town for the recent Royal visit, he leaves Wednesday for an engagement in the United States capital.
Mr. Frith said he received a call out of the blue several months ago.
The caller's request? That he serve as the official Town Crier for an event honouring Ralph W. Shrader, chairman of Washington DC charity Neediest Kids. "It really was quite flattering," he said.
Neediest Kids works with schools to supply impoverished children with such necessities as reading glasses, food and clothing.
The group is to hold a benefit with a Dickensian theme in honour of Mr. Shrader.
The event will include a showing of Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol' at the historic Ford's Theater, renowned as the site of President Abraham Lincoln's assassination.
Mr. Frith will introduce speakers at a pre-show cocktail party at the Smithsonian Museum of Art, lead the procession to Ford's Theater and introduce the director of the play.
"I was chosen because I was the closest thing that they could find to a British Town Crier," he said.
"They wanted a Crier to go with the Dickensian theme of the evening and although there are several capable Town Criers in the DC area, they thought I would be the most authentic and they chose me.
"I must admit that I am quite chuffed that my fame has spread to that part of the world."
Mr. Frith has won several international Town Crier competitions and been hailed for his elaborate uniform. He also plays the bagpipes as the Pipe Major in The Bermuda Pipe Band factors which have worked to augment his "fame". Frith says that he is "probably" the only Town Crier in the world that also plays the bagpipes, something he believes has added to his success.
"I will be bringing my pipes with me," he said. "The pipes can lend a little pizzazz to something that could be rather drab."
Mr. Frith will have to alter his routine to make it relevant to his American audience.
At home I finish my cries with 'God bless the Queen' but in this circumstance I think I will have to add 'God bless the President of the United States and Neediest Kids'."
Mr. Frith says he is the latest in a long line of successful Bermudian Town Criers and said he is proud to be representing Bermuda abroad.
"I am going over there representing Bermuda and the Town of St. George's. The fact that I am Bermudian will be the talk of the town. It is great that Bermuda is held in such high esteem."
