Hungerford Virtual Museum

Website produced and maintained for the Hungerford Historical Association
by Hugh Pihlens

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You are in [People] [Bellmen of Hungerford]

The Bellman is one of the ancient offices of the Town and Manor of Hungerford. His role doubles as the Town Crier, as well as Assistant Bailiff, Beadle, and Crier for the Hocktide Courts. Follow this link for more on Town & Manor traditions.


	Bellmen of Hungerford <1658-1683 John Savidge 1685-1699 Robert Coxhead 1700-1717 Francis Morris 1718-1763 Jonathan Bird 1763-1784 Joseph Bird 1785-1789 William Mundy 1790-1800 William Robinson 1801-1831 Henry Clements 1837-1838 James Clements 1838-1841 Thomas Reeves 1842-1846 Thomas Hart 1847-1871 John Oram 1872-1875 William Smart 1876-1879 Thomas Challis 1880-1922 Edward Bushnell 1923-1956 Sid Bushnell 1956-1957 Jean Tubb 1957-2012 Robin Tubb

The origin of the official position of Town Crier is unclear. John Savidge was holding the position from the 1658 Constables' Accounts. In 1682 the crier was first given a coat: - "Pd John Sagar for 5 yards & a qt of blew cloth for John Savage's cote - 00 14 6". - "Pd John Hamblin for Sarge & thread & tape for Savage's cote - 00 01 9". - "ffor 3 dozen of buttons - 00 01 6". - "Pd John Hellier for making of John Savage's cote - 00 02 0". John Savidge was buried 27 December 1683. From 1688 (the year that William of Orange met the Commissioners of James II at The Bear), Robert Coxhead was "Bellman", and was paid a salary of £2 per year (plus additional fees). A new coat was made for him: - "For Robert Coxhead ye Bellman 4 yds & ½ of cloth at 3s 5d per yd - 14 11½". - "6 yds & ½ of bais at 10d - 5 5½". - "2 doz & ½ of buttons at 3½d - 8¾". - "a qtr of an ounce & ½ qtr of silk - 6". - "for tape and thread - 2". In 1692 and 1693 he was given 10 shillings "to buy him a coat", which increased to £1 from 1698. This became an annual expense in the Constables' Accounts. From 1700 Francis Morris was Bellman. In addition to the new coats, from 1702 he also received an annual new hat (at 5s). Francis Morris ended his tenure as Bellman in 1717. He was buried on 20 August 1720. In 1718 Jonathan Bird became Bellman. His coats now cost over £2 each year. In 1724 he had a new bell: - "Paid for change of Cryer's Bell - 6 6". In 1726 he was also granted: - "Westcote and Briches for ye bellman - 1 17 6", along with "hose" at 2s 6d. Jonathan Bird was Bellman for 45 years until his death 15 March 1763, when the post was taken over by his son Joseph Bird (born 16 Nov 1716). There was an increase in the annual salary in 1773 to £2 2s.




	Edward Bushnell, Bellman 1880-1923



		Sid Bushnell, Bellman 1923-1956



	Robin Tubb, Bellman 1957-2012

The full list of Bellmen is shown at the top of this page.

1838-41 Thomas Reeves: The 1841 census shows that Thomas Reeves (aged 60 - "Town Crier") lived in "Church Green" (ie The Croft), along with his wife and two daughters.

1872-1875 William Smart: Jane Rees (of Sutton) contacted the Virtual Museum (Aug 2011) saying "My great great grandfather William Smart was born in Calne. He had started out with the police in the City of London (Cripplegate) and had moved on from Hungerford to Birmingham by 1881."

1880-1923 Edward Bushnell: Edward Bushnell lived at what is now 3&4 High Street.

1923-1956 Sidney Frank Bushnell: Sid Bushnell was son of Edward Bushnell. He lived in several different houses, including where the Frys used to live in Salisbury Road (now redeveloped) and 56 High Street – where he was when Robin Tubb was young.

1956-1957 Jean Tubb: Jean was Sid Bushnell's daughter, and for about ten months she was Bellman, but soon encouraged her son Robin to take on the post.

1957-2012: Robin Tubb: Robin Tubb, the present Bellman, is the fourth generation of his family to hold the post, following his Great Grandfather Edward Bushnell, Great Uncle Sid Bushnell, and his Mother Jean Tubb. Robin was appointed in 1957, making him the longest serving crier in the world. Indeed, at a special celebration in June 2007 Robin celebrated 50 years as Bellman and Town Crier, and 127 years by the same family.

The Bellman can be seen on many occasions perambulating the Town in his grey and hunting pink regalia, with black silk gold laced hat, carrying his bell or beadles pole, exercising his many duties, from delivering messages and communications, to leading Church and other parades, as well as making proclamations on behalf of the Traditional, Civic, Charitable, or indeed any other organisation, who can engage his vocal services.

In Sep 1978 Robin Tubb hosted the inaugural meeting of The Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers in Hungerford. Eleven criers attended from Cornwall, Devon, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire, Kent and Sussex.

On his death on 3 Jan 2012 Robin had been Bellman and Town Crier for nearly 55 years - a record of fine service to the town and community of Hungerford.

Updated: 4.1.2012