Town Crier Rings His Bell to Herald Start of the Olympic Games

Published on: 25 Jul, 2012
Updated on: 25 Jul, 2012

Guildford’s town crier and beadle David Peters has a busy day on Friday (July 27) as he plays his part at two locations to herald the start of the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Guidford’s town crier and beadle David Peters.

He will be on HMS Belfast moored on the Thames in London ringing his bell with three other town criers as part of the All The Bells event. This is timed to start at exactly 8.12am.

David and his fellow town criers, along with a group of children, will be ringing their bells as fast and as loudly as they can in an event that thousands of other bell ringers of all types will be taking part in simultaneously across the UK.

Look out for David on TV as the event is being broadcast live on BBC 1’s Breakfast programme.

All The Bells, also known as Work No: 1197, has been devised by the Turner Prize-winning artist and musician Martin Creed and is part of a London 2012 Festival commission.

Later in the day David will be doing more of his traditional duties relaying information to competitors at the Olympic Village. He said: “I and two colleagues will be assisting athletes to move from the Olympic Village to the opening ceremony at the Olympic Park.”

They won’t be able to mistake him in his black, red and gold cloak, tricorn hat and loud voice!