Why these UK town criers have a rare dynamic in a traditional profession

• Faye Thompson and her husband Martin Johnson serve as Petersfield's town criers, uniquely featuring a lead female crier and a male deputy, a rare dynamic in the traditional profession.
• Faye was initially scouted by the council after cheering up locals with toy orangutans during the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to her winning a town crier competition in January 2023.
• Since her appointment, Faye has officiated numerous events, including nine King's Coronation parties and a symbolic peace treaty between Gosport and Portsmouth.
• Martin became deputy town crier in January 2024, and the couple often swap roles, embracing a modern interpretation of the position and supporting each other.
• The couple, who also use a stuffed sheep mascot named Peter S Field, aim to spread joy, promote their hometown, and bring communities together, recently participating in a campaign for Innocent drinks.