By Press Release
Tributes have been paid to former Ryde Town Crier, Steve King, who has died.
A Facebook post on Historic Ryde Society, said: “Steve King died, our town crier and friend has died, RIP Steve.
“Steve was a real Ryde boy and man, gave so much to and for the town.
“Thank you, Steve, you will always be fondly remembered. Our deepest sympathy to his wife Edna and family.”
Steve stepped away from his position in 2019 after being told his services were no longer needed, then becoming the temporary town crier in Southampton, and later, briefly in Yarmouth.
He later took over again at Ryde and his last event was on November 24, 2021, at the Women’s Institute Centenary, hosted at Newport Minster.
Steve took part in 13 town crier competitions, his last was at Windsor Castle. He said about the role: “It’s all about tradition; we were the forerunners to newspapers, phones and iPods. We were protected by the motto ‘Don’t shoot the messenger’, because that would mean the town didn’t receive its news.”
