Shame ends career of Thame’s Town Crier

THAME’S Town Crier, Anthony Church, has been stripped of his title in disgrace, after falsly claiming a Falklands’ war record, and entitlement to wear Decorations, and medals that he bought over the internet.

Now Ex Thame Town Crier, Anthony Church, doffs his cap to the fallen during the launch of the Thame Remembers Project back in August last year

Mr Church, who was a common sight in Thame often promoting events in the Market Place such as the food festival, was revealed as a fraud by a group calling itself the Walter Mitty Hunters Club, a group of former servicemen which investigates those who illegitimately wear medals.

He has publically apologised and is reported to have said: “‘It was very stupid and I categorically now apologise to everybody who has served in the forces. It was never my intention to cause any distress or upset.”

Also official Town Crier for Banbury, Oxford, Chipping Norton and Wallingford, in 2012, Mr Church, from Cowley, in Oxford, led Team GB athletes to the opening ceremony for the London Olympics. He was one of three representatives of the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers who, dressed in traditional liveries, helped to marshall international athletes from the Olympic Village to the stadium for the Athletes’ Parade.