Ripon town crier by Claude Buckle

Ripon, the town that still has a Town Crier (The Wakeman) announcing the daily news, is painted in oils in this typical Claude Buckle railway poster style. Situated four miles west of Ripon is Fountains Abbey that Buckle also sketched. The ritual was started in 886 when the King, Alfred The Great, greatly impressed by the support he received against the Viking raiders, granted the city a royal charter symbolized by a horn. The horn has been sounded at the four corners of the square at 9 o’clock ever since to advise that the Wakeman is on duty and watching for Vikings.    1960's Chorley & Pickersgill ltd BR(NER)       BACK