Town Crier

OYEZ OYEZ OYEZ!

In June 2023, Mr Joe Stockil became Billingham’s first Town Crier.

Joe has previously served with the British Army and currently works as a facilities manager in Billingham. He is also the poppy appeal organiser for the Royal British Legion.

Click on Joe’s photograph to find out what he has been up to!

If you would like to book the Town Crier for any events in Billingham, please contact the Town Council Office.

The Town Crier receiving port & stilton from the Town Clerk. This is a Christmas tradition going back many years!

On Sunday 8th December the Town Crier was in attendance at Low Grange Community Centre Christmas Fair.

More information can be found here

On Saturday 30th November 2024 the Town crier was in attendance at the Christmas Lights Switch on in Billingham Town Centre.

More information can be found here

This year at the Billingham Show, held in John Whitehead Park, we welcomed the Town Crier. He was present for the entire weekend, engaging with all who attended and sharing the excitement of the event.  He also seized plenty of photo opportunities, ensuring that everyone left with a memorable photo of their day.

The 6^th June 2024 marks the 80^th Anniversary of D-Day, when Allied Forces mounted the largest amphibious invasion the world has ever witnessed.  In 1944 Operation Overlord saw around 4,000 ships and landing craft set down about 132,500 troops on five Normanby beaches in an action that would bring about the liberation of north-west Europe from Nazi occupation.

On the morning of the 6th June 2024, at 9am, The Town Crier read the official D Day proclamation and also joined with the nation to raise the ‘Flag of Peace’ and lay a wreath at the flagpole outside Billingham Library & Customer Service Centre.

On the evening in John Whitehead Park, Billingham Silver Band gave a performance.  At 9.15pm, the Town Council participated in the nations D Day 80th anniversary beacon lighting ceremony.  The Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Durham, Mr Mark White CBE, lit the beacon alongside the Town Crier reading the International Tribute.

The Town Crier receiving port & stilton from the Town Clerk. This is a Christmas tradition going back many years!

On Saturday 25th November, the Town Crier joined Singing Sue’s Vocal Academy, the cast of this year’s Forum panto and members of the public for the Christmas Tree Lights Switch On in Billingham Town Centre.

The Town Crier performed at the Feeding Our Community opening at BELP’s Health and Wellbeing Garden in Port Clarence on Saturday 20th May.  The project was officially opened by the Town Council’s Vice Chairman, Councillor Helen Atkinson.

The Town Council have provided subsidy funding of £36,000 towards this project.

On Sunday 7th May, the Town Crier performed the Coronation Cry at the Town Council’s Coronation event ‘A Right Royal Do’.

Mr Mark White OBE, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Durham was also in attendance and said a thank you on behalf of HM The King and family.

On Saturday 6th May 2023, the Town Crier read the official Coronation proclamation at the flagpole outside Billingham Library.  The Coronation flag was also raised.

Mr Mark White OBE, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Durham was also in attendance and said a thank you on behalf of HM The King and family.