'Opkins. O yez! O yez! O yez!

"'OPKINS: O YEZ! O YEZ! O YEZ!"

'Opkins: O Yez! O Yez! O Yez!

Photographed by J C Dinham c 1900

©Gordon Higham

When town criers first appeared in Torquay, no one seems to know but White's 1850 Directory records that the office was then held by an Emanuel Charles, who, like most criers, doubled as a bill poster. He always told anyone who would listen that he was born in London just half an hour before Queen Victoria and, like her, celebrated his 80th birthday in 1899, shortly before this photograph was taken,

The office of Town Crier (or Bellman) is protected by law to this day and heckling them or trying to impede them while carrying out their duties is still a criminal offence. There are two parts to the job - posting a notice which meant pinning it on the door post of a local inn - and crying the same notice out loud for the sake of all those who could not read the poster. Town criers were the official means of dissemination for Royal Proclamations, new by-laws, forthcoming events, lost and found notices, executions and even adverts.

This photograph by James Dinham is of Charles Hopkins. It is not clear when he first arrived in Torquay but he made his first census appearance in 1881. Until his death in 1901, Charles Hopkins continued to carry out his official duties in Torquay. As the Corporation's official communicator, his smart uniform was provided for him but as to his wage, there is no information forthcoming. In other places in Devon the going-rate seems to have been 2d a call. As Torquay was a large place spread over a wide area, he probably earned a decent wage.

Note the bell - Charles Hopkins' method of attracting attention - hence the older name of Bellman for the post. And note too the reference in the title Dinham gave to this photograph to the traditional way of beginning all cries - O yez*, O yez, O yez - there was no mistaking the voice of Charles Hopkins!

*Pronounced "Yay".