AFTER 12 years of service, town crier, Steve King, has hung up his bell.

During his time, Mr King opened 13 shops and was present at 11 weddings.

He was told his services were no longer needed and stepped away from his position as Ryde town crier in April 2019, taking a temporary position as Southampton’s town crier.

Mr King later returned to the Island, becoming Yarmouth’s town crier, before returning to continue doing the role he loved in his hometown Ryde.

His last event was on November 24, 2021, at the Women’s Institute Centenary, hosted at Newport Minster.

Mr King told the County Press that his favourite part of the job was advertising Ryde while meeting different people all the time.

Taking part in 13 town crier competitions, his last was at Windsor Castle, where 38 town criers were present, two of which travelled from Australia.

Talking about his retirement, Mr King said: “It’s called old age and arthritis.

“But people still call me the town crier to this day!”

Mr King’s retirement means there is now one remaining town crier on the Isle of Wight, John Davies of Sandown.

The former Ryde town crier’s iconic silver bell is now on public display at The Donald McGill Museum in the Royal Victoria Arcade on Union Street, Ryde.