Tributes have been paid to Burnham-On-Sea’s town crier of 24 years, who died on Friday (October 23rd) following a long struggle with poor health.
Fred Smith, 72, had suffered serious health problems in recent years but continued to attend civic functions and shout the traditional cry of ‘Oh Yeaz, Oh Yeaz’ with gusto.
He became town crier in 1985 after the town council revived the position following a period of around 50 years with no-one in the role.
Past Mayor Cllr Neville Jones told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “Fred was a great ambassador for Burnham and our area. He was frequently used by tourist groups to help promote the area and always did so with enthusiasm.”
“In the early 1990s he and his wife, Shirley, travelled to a competition in Ottawa attended by 92 criers from around the world.”
“They won the award for best dressed town criers – a very sought-after and deserved accolade. A special tribute must also be paid to Shirley, who always supported Fred so strongly.”
Burnham County Councillor Peter Burridge-Clayton has also paid tribute to Mr Smith. “I joined the Town Council when I was 29 and Fred was a very active town crier for us even all those years ago. I always remember Fred and Shirley being the first to congratulate me and offering their support at any time.”
“When I became the Town Mayor at an early age, he was very supportive and was only too willing to attend any function I invited him too. Fifteen years later, despite being very poorly, Fred still offered the same support to me as Mayor and did his best to help me wherever he could. Fred and Shirley were a wonderful couple and very close.”
“Fred was a fine ambassador for the town both here and abroad. He was very keen on Town Twinning and represented us on many occasions in Fritzlar, Casis and Louvigne du Desert, promoting our town, most of which was out of his own pocket. I am sure we will never find a town crier like Fred again.”
Fred, who needed kidney dialysis three times a week, was among the special guests at the opening of Taunton’s Kidney Dialysis Unit in December 2008 with wife Shirley
Town crier Fred is pictured here launching Burnham-On-Sea’s seafront land train during the 1990s
Fred travelled to a town crying competition in Ottawa attended by 92 criers from around the world in the early 1990s, as pictured above
Fred pictured earlier this year at a town council meeting in Burnham
