Page 5 - link magazine

The Link Magazine • May 2006
It's a crying shame

Swindon town crier Fred Ferris is well known across the country and
will be playing his part in many Brunel 200 celebrations - but not in
Swindon, because no-one from Swindon Council has asked him to
get involved.
It's been left for other towns to
recognise what an asset Fred is,
with his splendid livery which has
won him Britain's Best Dressed
Town Crier awards in 2002 and l^
2005.
Fred's GWR Senior Station Mas
ter's uniform was suggested by
the council as a way to promote r
Swindon's railway heritage after
he won the town crier competition
at the Old Town Festival in 1997.
It's ironic then that Fred has not
been asked to officiate at any of
this year's Brunel celebrations in
Swindon. Since 1997 he has only
twice been invited to perform a
civic duty. "As a town crier, I can't .
just turn up at an event; I have to
be invited," he said. "It seems
Fred in his magnificent GYVR station
there's no-one at the council to
make sure I'm made use of." master's uniform
Perhaps the council is worried medal winner Jamie Cox at the
about the cost. However, Fred ex- end of March.
plained that it's a town crier's rule Although disappointed at his
that they don't charge the council shabby treatment Fred has no re-
that appoints them. grets about becoming a town crier.
There are many events where "I've made the best of it and met
our own town crier could add to the other criers who are a damn
the occasion. Most recently, peo- good bunch," he said.
pie commented that Fred should Fred is available to 'shout' at
have led the triumphant proces- any business or civic function and
sion for Commonwealth gold can be contacted on 721800.
Town's got a lot going for it
Margaret D'Souza-Deshmukh arrived in Swindon 16 months ago to
live in Priory Vale and says the town should recognise the positives
and ignore the critics.
Having lived in Croydon and Swindon's history fascinates
most recently Slough - towns that Margaret. "I was very impressed
compete for negative criticism - by the Steam Museum when we
Margaret says Swindon has a lot to first arrived. My mother's family
shout about. "We enjoy living here is rooted in Indian railways; the
a lot. As a newcomer it's been ex- sounds and smells at Steam
citing settling into a new area find- brought home so many memories
ing out what there is. There are and stories told by my uncles and
people arriving all the time; you grandfather. It's the first place I
just have to see all the new houses took my brother and his family
springing up in North Swindon. when they came to visit from In-
There are open spaces, schools and dia.
shopping close to "Brunel did so
where I live; you many great things
really don't need to put Swindon
to go further if on the map. Even
you don't want in the short time
to." I've lived here
But since mov- that legacy has
ing Margaret's given me a sense
seen surround- of pride in the
ing green fields town. I'm so glad
gobbled up my family is here
which makes her to enjoy the
unhappy about Brunel 200 cel-
the density of de- ebrations."
velopment in • Brunel summer
North Swindon. see page 23
She'd also like to Margaret and
see the town cen- daughter Riya at
tre upgraded and Steam for the new
tidied up. Brunel exhibition