Gloucester town crier 'hurled bell' at boys on bikes

  • Published
Alan Myatt in garbImage source, Alan Myatt
Image caption,
Alan Myatt has been a town crier in Gloucester for 30 years

A town crier was left "all shook up" after a ding-dong with a gang on bikes who tried to steal his tricorn hat.

Alan Myatt lobbed his bell at three yobs after they tried to nab his hat and wig, Gloucestershire Live reported.

The town crier said: "I thought I'll get [them] and I hurled my bell... cracking it in the process."

Mr Myatt said he swung at one of the boys, but missed and fell to the pavement, leaving him crumpled in his ceremonial cape on the ground.

Help from the homeless

He had just given a talk in Gloucester in full garb when he was approached by the three teenage "lads" wearing hoodies.

Mr Myatt, who has been a town crier in the city for 30 years, said he was helped up "by nearby homeless people" who also returned his hat after the fall in Northgate Street.

The 24-stone (152kg) town crier said that afterwards he was "like Elvis Presley - all shook up".

He said his bell was now only "fit for a doorstop", while his "shoulder and knee are killing me".

Mr Myatt has reported the skirmish to police.

Image source, Alan Myatt
Image caption,
Mr Myatt said his bell was now only "fit for a doorstop"

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