NEW GLASGOW, NS
New Glasgow town crier Jim Stewart will be a part of a unique event marking the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.
Stewart will be one of 140 town criers that will deliver a specially-written cry for peace around the world.
Stewart is playing his part in Battle’s Over, an international commemoration marking 100 years since the guns fell silent at the end of the First World War.
The first cry will be delivered on Nov. 11 at 7:05 p.m. in New Zealand and then will be delivered across the globe through the various time zones. The New Glasgow event will take place on Nov. 11 at 7:05 p.m. in Carmichael Park in front of the War Memorial.
Stewart said he first heard about the Battle’s Over event about six or eight months ago when an invite was sent out by Battle’s Over pageant master Bruno Peek of the UK, encouraging people to take part.
In addition to town criers, Stewart said there will also be bagpipers playing and church bells ringing.
He said it’s relatively easy to organize town criers for a project like this because there are only about 300 of them in the world and they’re connected in groups on Facebook.
Approximately 140 criers are participating and they will all read the same cry. Stewart said he feels honoured to be part of it.
“It just makes you realize how small the world is,” he said.
He’ll know some of the criers taking part as he’s met them at town crying competitions in places like the UK and Bermuda.
More information on Battles Over can be found at www.brunopeek.co.uk/battles-over.
RELATED LINKS:
Town crier sharing love of New Glasgow in England
The cry heard ’round the world
Town crier James Stewart places 2nd at international competition in Bermuda
The Cry
Oyez, oyez, oyez
Town Criers raise your voices and together cry with me
Remembering those brave men and women in our history
The Battle’s Over A Nation’s tribute remembers them one and all
Be proud and stand united, don’t let your memories fall
Confidence is what we need so that Nations trust each other
And all the Races of mankind treat each other as a brother
Food for every living thing by nature is provided
If we could only see it was equally divided
The woods and streams, the mountains high, the sea and golden shore
Were never ever meant to be the cause of senseless bloody war
Or race for powerful armaments and sacrifice of youth
But a World of true contentment built on Faith and Trust and Truth
Peace to the World
God save the Queen
