Yesterday was an eventful day in more ways than one!
It all began with a visit to my good friend Ali, who is an accomplished blogger. I had often read and enjoyed her fascinating and thought-provoking blogs. I used to marvel, wide-eyed and mouth wide open, at how many people were following her writings in so many far-off lands. I’d often wondered about writing a blog myself, to share my varied and enjoyable experiences of being a Town Crier and then I used to laugh to myself at the thought that “surely, no one would ever want to read about them anyway!” I’ve shared a few experiences on Facebook before now, but I’d often felt the need to have a medium that was a little more expansive, shall we say, with the prospect of reaching a slightly wider audience, like……The World! GULP! (As a radio amateur, it has to be said, I always got a huge “buzz” whenever I heard someone replying to me from the other side of the planet!)
So, yesterday was the day for me to tentatively dip my toe into the blogging ocean for the very first time!
Ali was a very sympathetic teacher who helped me to get started. She was so patient as my eyes started to glaze over at the first mention of “widgets” and the like. Like tackling anything new I guess, like learning to drive a car….. it all takes time to assimilate, understand and then put into practice – especially when you’re the wrong side of 60! I have so many questions about it all right now, but luckily the online video tutorials are slowly helping. Surely this is preferable to making endless phone calls to my patient mentor, at all hours of the day and night!
So this will be a relatively short blog, just to see if it all works……….
Oh, the broadcasting? I never thought you’d ask!
Yesterday evening, I attended the studios of Glastonbury FM, our local radio station, where I was going to be interviewed about my work as a Town Crier and then talk a little bit about the history of Town Criers in the UK. I haven’t been so nervous in a very, very long time! I felt that same sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that I had felt when I was summoned to the Headmaster’s study, nearly 60 years ago! You’d think that after 44 years of teaching in the classroom, sometimes taking school assemblies before an entire school, not to mention compering on the Glastonbury Festival stage, I’d have got over “nerves” by now. Isn’t it funny how the prospect of a cosy chat in a small carpeted room, in front of a microphone, can bring you out into a cold sweat, with clammy hands and dry mouth?
Steve, the jovial and charming radio presenter, soon put me at ease and in next to no time I was chattering away about what led me into this crazy world of Town Crying, where people shout their heads off, wearing old-fashioned clothes, white tights and frilly lace.
“GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!
(Glastonbury Market Cross, April 2017)
This is lovely, David, and very entertaining. Congratulations on what I am sure will be the first of many! xxx
LikeLiked by 2 people
Reblogged this on Chronicles of an Orange-Haired Woman! and commented:
Our much-loved, and widely-known, Town Crier, David Greenway, has ventured onto the Blogosphere! Here is his first post: a fascinating insight into the world of Town Crying!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello David, and welcome to the blogosphere. I’m very new too, and still trying all the thingumyjigs and widgety things. Have fun!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for your welcome! Yes it’s a bit daunting. I’m sure it will all slot into place soon enough! Good luck to you as well!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome to the blogosphere, David! A linked article will go out fuve this afternion from my blog 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Sue. It’s all quite daunting. A big leap from the Town Crier’s quill pen!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m looking forward to reding some more of the history and the tales, David.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And honestly…I can spell! Just need a new keyboard (or new fingers…)
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Sue for reblogging (see, I’m starting to use the jargon!) and getting me known a little bit etc. (just a minor point…… surname is spelt “Greenway”) Have a good day! David xx
LikeLike
What a great post, David. I am looking forward to reading all about life as a town crier.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much! My first attempt. I will have tales aplenty, Ma’am! Beats the olde quill pen and scroll!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome to the crazy, madcap world of blogging, David! It is hard to learn everything, just take it slow and enjoy every minute of it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! It’s all Ali’s fault! She kinda inspired me really and taught me the basics. I have now re-discovered the sheer joy of story writing – something that has eluded me for 50 years!. Studying for a physics degree and a long career in teaching must have got in the way, somehow. I can’t thank Ali enough! Have a great day! x
LikeLiked by 1 person
You too… it sounds as if you are enjoying yourself!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi David and welcome to the Blogosphere!
I am sure your blog is going to be a hit, and you are off to a cracking start. 🙂
LikeLike
Hi Judy! Thank you very much for your very warm welcome and words of encouragement. I means a lot to a novice blogger. My good friend Alienora is an accomplished blogger and she “showed me the ropes” and enabled me to get started. I’ve wanted a medium a bit more expansive than Farcebook and blogging seemed to be the next step. I am rediscovering the joys of story telling that I left behind at school, 50 years ago! I am having so much fun and having feed back like you’ve sent means so much. I have just published my third blog (since last Wednesday) and am beginning to get the hang of it. As a Town Crier, I often have a story to tell about my day “on the streets”. Best wishes, David xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have never looked back since i started blogging nearly three years ago, David. It becomes addictive, I have to say! I also follow Alienora’s blog, she is very witty and seems such a lovely person.
You will find that the blogging community are very friendly and supportive on the whole, and I love being a part of it all 🙂 xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ali is a truly marvellous soul! An ex, English teacher. I am but a lowly physicist …….. with a big gob, of course! D xx
LikeLiked by 1 person