Broad shoulders, a good sense of humour, a loud voice and clear diction are what it takes to make a good town crier, says Southland town crier Lynley McKerrow.
After five years of service, she's leaving Invercargill and "there's for the taking" if the Waikato wants a town crier.
The outgoing Southland town crier Lynley Mckerrow. Photo: Supplied
Many people think town criers are English but they actually originated in France, says Lynley, who is also a wedding and funeral celebrant.
Originally, she didn't put herself forward to become one: "Several of my friends said Lynley McKerrow has got the loudest poshest voice in Invercargill and perhaps she could do it."
The town crier appears when something special happens in the community, she says.
"I come, I ring my bell, I look very resplendent of course in my livery, I have a very loud and clear voice. I do the cry and welcome everybody to Southland.
"The children love it, the adults think it's amazing and the visitors to this country think it's awesome.'
Invercargill mayor Tim Shadbolt tells her that she shows him up at events by being better dressed.
"We add that little bit of colour and humour … we don't take over. We're just there in the background, very loud, very gorgeous."
But now that Lynley's hooked up with "her very own personal Mills & Boon", she must be off.
"There are three things that give a woman a life - one is a decent bra, one is a pair of red shoes and the other one is marrying the love of her life," she says.
