Summer Market Spectacular gives new town crier something to shout about
14/08/08 - DARLINGTON’S new town crier will make his debut at the Summer Market Spectacular tomorrow (Friday August 15).
Peter Stemmer, a former sergeant major with the Royal Corps of Signals, will make his first cry at the Market Cross at 10.30am, signalling the official start of the four-day Summer Market Spectacular.
Mr Stemmer who is the sub postmaster at Mowden Post Office, will appear in the town in full regalia during the four-day event, giving various rhyming cries to publicise the markets and attractions to shoppers.
Mr Stemmer who is originally from Newton Le Willows in the North West said: “A friend saw the job advertised in the paper and said I should go for it.
“I always tell people how great Darlington is – when ever I go back home to the North West I sing Darlington’s praises, so it will be a joy to be the town crier - to be out there, speaking to people and doing the cries.”
The former sergeant major believes he has the right voice for the job: “I am a former drill sergeant – I trained officers at Sandhurst, so I’ll make myself heard.”
For four days, from Friday August 15, Darlington town centre will be filled with more than 300 market stalls, with traders and products from all over the world.
In Blackwellgate there will be a Continental Market, selling cheese and biscuits from Holland, Bratwurst hot dogs from Germany, a beer garden from Poland, cheese and bread from France, clothing and crafts from Finland, paella from Spain and olives, fruits and nuts from Turkey
In Northgate, there will be the Staffordshire Pot Fair, selling ceramics and china from the famous pottery region.
On High Row, there will be a green and ethically traded market, selling produce and crafts from around the world, including garden ornaments from Thailand, crafts from South Africa, furnishings from the Philippines as well as teas from China and India.
On Tubwell Row and West Row there will be a mixture of general market stalls, a craft fair and Farmers’ Market, selling locally produced goods.
In Bondgate there will be children’s rides.
Other features throughout the event include:
• Friday August 15, 11am to 3pm, Tea Dance in the Market Square
• Saturday August 16, fairground rides in the Market Square
• Sunday August 17, 1pm to 6pm Culture Xplosion music event, featuring hip hop, bangra, indie and pop bands in the Market Square
• Sunday August 17, vintage car display in Grange Road
• Sunday August 17, garden festival in Skinnergate, as well as face painters and balloon modellers
• Monday August 18, charities day in the Market Square.
A full programme of entertainment will also be taking place across the town centre throughout the four-day event. Entertainer Chunkie Russell will be putting on a variety of shows and workshops, as well as Conk the Clown, to keep the crowds entertained.
Alpha Radio will also be running a ‘Music in the Market’ event, showcasing local musicians at the Market Cross each day.
There will also be a vintage bus, and the bus used in the hit BBC TV series Heartbeat, on display in the town.