Keswick’s town criers past and present have teamed up to bring some light-hearted but very loud relief during the coronavirus lockdown.
Bob Bryden, 82, who was town crier for 16 years, and his successor Dave Hall, 73, have had a series of six videos taken of them telling jokes while dressed in their full costumes, including handbells.
The veteran comedians have dubbed themselves The Two Meeters after making sure they always observed social distancing rules while running through their comic repertoire in various locations.
Annamarie Desmond-Storey, a friend of Bob and Dave’s through Keswick Theatre Club, filmed them and now the footage is available to view on the Keswick Reminder YouTube channel (link below). She said: “I think everyone in Keswick knows Bob and Dave. They wanted to try and raise a laugh for people in these stressful times. Hopefully it’s bringing some much needed cheer to other people’s lives.”
Bob said: “We just wanted to offer a bit of laughter during these difficult times. It is particularly for people who are cut off in lockdown, including those working or living in care homes who are doubly marooned because people who normally come in to entertain them can’t do so.”
Here’s one of Bob’s jokes: Why do smart women in Keswick always keep an empty bottle of milk in the fridge? In case anyone asks for a black coffee!
View week 4 of The Two Meeters in action:
See more of The Two Meeters series from Keswick’s town criers past and present.
