by Rosalind Gibb

Last updated at 14:27, Tuesday, 29 May 2012

Nestled among the northern fells, Keswick has long been popular with visitors and daytrippers. But though it’s favoured as a base for walkers or a pitstop for those on the Lake District tourist trail, the town is perhaps less well-known for its rich history.

Bob Bryden

Keswick Street Theatre, now in its 15th season, brings stories from the past alive through 10 scenes, each depicting different characters and events.

Staged by a cast of local performers, including Eleanor Paxon, Heidi Stafford and Nick Ball, all profits are donated to charity and nearly £10,000 has been raised for local charities and good causes over the years.

Beginning at Moot Hall, the crowd are transported back to May 1568 to meet Lady Katherine Radcliffe, wife of the Lord of the Manor of Derwent-water.

They witness some shady dealings from the early 1700s outside the George Hotel, the first Keswick Convention being planned by Canon Thomas Battersby and Robert Wilson, and visit the location of the town’s poor house, now the post office.

And one of the characters who pops up in several scenes could be from the pages of a history book – except town crier Bob Bryden is very much part of the fabric of present-day Keswick.

The larger than life 75-year-old has been town crier for 20 years, and involved with Keswick Street Theatre since it began in 1998.

“It is an undiscovered gem, when we finish we always receive fulsome praise.

“Keswick has quite the best heritage and street theatre allows us to tell the events of the town. All the boring bits are cut out and much merriment is packed in to brighten life.”

About 14 actors perform, including Bob. “We are all amateurs, of course, but united by the incurable urge to show off...”

The tour was inspired by the book Keswick: The Story of a Lake District Town, written by George Bott in 1994 and the scenes have been adapted by Bob.

“The book is very inspiring, a brilliant piece of work. We started off doing a walk round the town, a guided tour but people were not listening much.

“If people are bored they can walk away so there has to be something interesting going on all the time. We call this a potted pantomime. It is lighthearted and fun.”

He remembers one occasion which tickled him. “There is a scene featuring Beatrix Potter with her sketch book, and there were around 20 Japanese visitors – now they are very keen on her, apparently they learn English using Potter stories, which sparks an interest at an early age.

“Anyway afterwards one said ‘I thought she was dead, isn’t she lovely...’”

Bob is a well-known figure in the town; with his booming voice and pillarbox red outfit embossed with red and gold, it would be hard for him to go unnoticed.

But the former history teacher has always been involved in community life; when he retired to Keswick 20 years ago with wife Brenda he soon got involved in local clubs and activities ranging from St John’s Church and Fairtrade to tennis, croquet and theatre.

He took on the town crier role when Bill Ireland stepped down. Keswick Street Theatre is one of his main gigs and he also does the Traditional Christmas Fayre (previously called Keswick Victorian Fayre), dinners and community events.

“I do events as and when. I might open a church fete, and earlier this year helped promote a jumble sale Scouts were holding. I stood outside and told passers-by it was THE BEST jumble sale ever,” he says noisily.

“I do enjoy it. It really is a treat, an indulgence. I shout ‘Oyez Oyez Oyez’ and eat ice cream. People come and talk to you, ask you questions. And the outfit is just wonderful.”

It’s a voluntary, independent role, which is how Bob likes it.

“I am a freelance town crier. I could join the guild for £40 a year, but then I would formally declare myself as a town crier and be asked to attend events.”

He remembers well his first brush with royalty – at Keswick’s Booths in 2007, at an event Prince Charles was attending to find out more about the company’s policy of local sourcing of produce.

“It was inside and I used full voice so it was very loud. He said, ‘my word have you been on a course?’ and I said no. But I do listen to how other town criers do it.”

Bob says he’s looking forward to the new season of Keswick Street Theatre, which kicks off tonight, and is hoping the warm weather will attract high numbers of people – locals and visitors – keen to learn the inside story of the town.

The record at the moment apparently stands at 76 people and two dogs.

He adds: “Every town has a wonderful history, featuring celebrities and ordinary people but suddenly people do not have as wide a knowledge and do not know who these people are. This gives people a little taste, a handle to dig deeper.

“History was my subject and I believe understanding it makes life a bit richer for what and who went before.

Keswick Street Theatre starts tonight at 7.30pm, and takes place every Tuesday until July 17, except June 5. Minimum donation is £2.50 per adult, accompanied under 16s free. No booking necessary – simply turn up outside the Moot Hall (by the Tourist Information Centre) before 7.30pm. Advance tickets also available from the tourist information centre, or Temporary Measure, Main Street, Keswick.

First published at 11:28, Tuesday, 29 May 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk