Town crier "will be sadly missed"

Tributes paid after veteran town crier for Hungerford, Robin Tubb, died on Tuesday

HUNGERFORD'S town crier Robin Tubb (pictured) has died at the age of 74.

His passing on Tuesday, following a brief illness, marks the end of an era.

Mr Tubb's 54 years in the role are believed to have made him Britain's longest-serving town crier and he followed in the footsteps of his great grandfather Edward Bushnell, appointed in 1880 and his great uncle Sidney Bushnell. Even his mother Jean Tubb served as Bellman for a brief period in 1956, but quickly handed over to her son.

Mr Tubb was appointed at the Hocktide Court in 1957, aged just 17, and has also served as assistant bailiff and as Constable of the Town and Manor of Hungerford in 2006/07. More recently he was buildings secretary to the Town and Manor.

Mr Tubb was honoured on the occasion of his 50th anniversary by a speech of thanks at the Hocktide luncheon and presented with a gold-plated, solid silver bell.

Present Constable of the Town and Manor of Hungerford Greg Furr said: “He will be sadly missed. He made an enormous contribution to the Town and Manor and to the community of Hungerford as a whole.”

Commons secretary of the Town and Manor of Hungerford Robert James, said yesterday (Wednesday): “He did an awful lot for this town and he was a good old friend. It really is the end of an era.”

Mr Tubb is survived by his wife June, two sons and four grandchildren.