A tricorne, plumed with white ostrich feathers, and a brass bell were placed upon his coffin.
Then, proudly making more noise than the average mourner, a dozen men and women rang out their last respects for Peter Moore, the London town crier who has fallen silent after 30 years of service.
“Bells up,” boomed the man in gold-buckled shoes, as the coffin was carried by. “Goodbye Peter and God save the Queen.”
Hundreds of friends, family and colleagues gathered at St George’s Cathedral in Southwark, Central London, today to celebrate the man who has been making toasts and amusing tourists in the capital since 1979.
Mr Moore died in his sleep, aged 70, at his home in Wandsworth, South London, last month.
Advertisement
At the requiem, held this afternoon, fellow town criers from Banbury, Brighton, Colchester and Kidderminster joined colleagues from across the country to pay tribute to the man with the formidable voice.
They were accompanied by local mayors in full insignia, freemasons, men in red fur-trim and members of the Guild of Pearly Kings and Queens from across the capital.
One man was consipicuous by his absence, however.
“I thought Boris might have come,” muttered one crier, clearly disappointed that the Mayor of London was otherwise engaged.
Town criers have been proclaiming news around London’s marketplaces since the 13th century.
Advertisement
Mr Moore was brought up by Barnardo’s in Walsall, in the West Midlands, but “ran away to seek his fortune in London”, according to friends.
He became an actor and played Mr Sowerberry, the undertaker, in the original stage production of Oliver! in 1960, before accepting a role as a town crier for an event.
“It was almost his vocation,” said Canon James Cronin, the cathedral dean, during the Catholic service.
“He loved London, he loved England and its institutions. And he did love a gullible American.”
Mr Moore’s theatrical performances were heard regularly around Trafalgar Square, the Tower of London and Parliament Square. With the motto, “Have bell, will travel” he had appeared in every New Year’s Day parade since the event began in 1987, and was due to receive a lifetime achievement award at the latest parade. However, he died just days before the ceremony.
Advertisement
Tony Uppleton, a town crier from Essex, who boasts the twin titles of Lord of the Manor, Great Baddow and Town Crier of the Year 2001, remembered Mr Moore as a close friend and mentor.
“Peter helped me when I started out, giving me tips on how to project the voice and shout from the stomach.
“He also told me to get my white tights from the ballet shop, my bell from Bow’s in Whitechapel. But he did get annoyed when I got white ostrich feathers for my hat, just like him. Made me change the colours,” said Mr Uppleton, pointing to the feathers, which were respectfully changed to red and blue. “I had to go Union Jack,” he added.
“Peter was a wonderful crier,” recalled Alan Myatt, town crier for Market Stables, in Camden, as he prepared to ring out the funeral procession. Mr Myatt should know – he once recorded a cry of 112 decibels.
“London was lucky to have him,” said Barrie Anderson, mayor of Lewisham, dressed in his red mayoral insignia for the service.
Advertisement
“He seemed to know exactly how to make an occasion. He never ignored protocol and yet he could put everyone at their ease, and that is not an easy thing to do.”
Mr Moore suffered a heart attack in the summer but carried on promoting London up until his death.
Doreen Golding, a pearly queen from the Old Kent Road, said: “Peter had the presence and the personality. It will be a hard act to follow.”
In a statement paying tribute to Mr Moore, Boris Johnson said: “Peter Moore was a highly spirited, charismatic individual who dedicated his life to the historical art of town crying.
“He participated in thousands of high-profile events across the city and I am one of the many Londoners who will hold fond memories of his famous, unique cries. “
Advertisement
A spokeswoman for Mr Johnson said: “The Mayor was deeply saddened to hear about Mr Moore’s death but unfortunately due to diary commitments he was unable to attend the funeral.”