Knaresborough Town Crier fitted out with new regalia

Knaresborough's Town Crier has been given a fresh new look, after the town Chamber of Trade and a local seamstress teamed up to fit him out with new bespoke regalia.
Roger Hewitt cried proud in his new regalia. Picture: Stephen TegginRoger Hewitt cried proud in his new regalia. Picture: Stephen Teggin
Roger Hewitt cried proud in his new regalia. Picture: Stephen Teggin

This week, Town Crier, Roger Hewitt debuted his new outfit after teaming up with Knaresborough seamstress, Gill Ford, to rejuvenate the traditional regalia.

The tailor-made, unique garments have been funded by the town's Chamber of Trade, and took 'months' of research to ensure every sow and stitch was designed correctly.

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Knaresborough Town Crier, Roger Hewitt, said: "Gill spent months just researching it, because it is absolutely historically accurate. We have been to the Mercer Gallery to look at costumes and it is set at around 1760 - 1770.

"The role of the Knaresborough Town Crier did start a bit earlier than that but it is made of traditional Knaresborough colours in that it's a blue coat, red socks and a red feather in the hat."

Atop of his bespoke new suit, the crier also has a brand new hat.

More specifically, the 'tricorn' was made especially by local milliner, the Harrogate Hatter, Kristi Hilton Pickup.

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This was a more unusual request for Ms Hilton Pickup, who specialises in wedding and race head-wear.

With its V-shaped braiding, buttonhole detail and made to fit a very special military badge, Ms Hilton Pickup said the historical hat is "truly unique".

The town has had a number of criers throughout history, but Mr Hewitt, who has lived in Knaresborough for the last forty years, has been in the role for two years.

He said: "I have been doing it two years, it's fantastic. Adults are very chatty and many think it looks nice but the kids think I look like a pirate, I just love it, I love to see the look in their eyes, they love it."

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