BIDDEFORD — For many years, Jim Weeks dreamed of coming to Biddeford to cry. This dream may sound odd to some, but not so strange once learning that Weeks has spent more than two decades crying in Bideford, England. Weeks’ avocation is crying.

In Bideford, England he holds the centuries-old position of town crier. On Tuesday, he fulfilled his dream of crying outside Biddeford City Hall.

“Oyez, oyez, oyez,” cried Weeks. “I, Jim Weeks, crier of Bideford and bellman for the bridge trustees, bring greetings from the mayor of Bideford, in the shire of Devon, England to the mayor and people of Biddeford, in the county of York, Maine.”

While performing his cry, Weeks was decked out in the full regalia of his uniform, including top hat, staff and bell. The uniform, said Weeks, is an exact replica of the town crier uniform from the mid-1800s that was purchased by a wealthy shipbuilder during his term as mayor. Prior to that, the town crier’s uniform was a black cloak and tri-corner hat, said Weeks.

Weeks, who has held his position for 26 years ”“ the longest in Bideford’s history according to his wife, Iona ”“ said he became town crier after a crier from Halsanby cried during a market celebration in Bideford.

“I thought, ”˜We can’t have a Halsanby chap do a Bideford chap’s job,’” said Weeks.

When inquiring about the position, he said he was told, “The job’s yours provided you can fit in the uniform because the Bideford council can’t afford a new uniform.”

After modifying the length of the trousers, Weeks became the town’s new crier.

According to Weeks, his job entails performing four or five official functions a year, such as: Leading the mayor and town council into town hall during the mayor changing ceremony, and leading them to church the following Sunday; for market celebrations; and crying at the Manor Court, a custom which dates back to when William the Conqueror went to England in 1066 and the peasants could petition the lord of the manor for improvements to their living conditions. Now the mayor acts as lord of the manor and residents usually petition for town beautification improvements.

The position of town crier is an ancient one. The first mention of town crier is in the old testament of the Bible, said Weeks. The first historical writing of a town crier in Bideford, he said, was in the early 1600s.

The early town criers were armed with a bell and a cutlass, and they were on watch for fire and burglars. Town criers are no longer armed with cutlasses, and now the position is mostly ceremonial.

Another change from the original position is that the salary has actually decreased. Although Weeks still earns the same five guineas per year, which is approximately $6 ”“ and worth quite a bit less than it was centuries ago ”“ he no longer gets the two pounds of salted pork and all the ale he can drink, which the earlier town criers received.

But for Weeks, he said it’s a matter of pride to dress in his uniform and perform his cries.

“My favorite part of the job is thinking when I’m crying in the streets of the number of tourists that want a picture next to me,” said Weeks. He said he views one of the main purposes of his job is to promote tourism and improve the economy of his hometown.

Weeks and his wife, and their relatives from Nova Scotia, arrived in Biddeford on Monday. They visited the Central Fire Station on Alfred Street and spent time with the firefighters. Weeks is a volunteer firefighter in England.

On Tuesday, the group spent the morning in the city, being served tea by Mayor Joanne Twomey in her office and taking a tour of the city.

“Everyone’s been very friendly,” said Iona Weeks.

At 2 p.m., Weeks performed a town cry outside of City Hall in front of about 20 people.

Then Weeks performed a ceremonial duty at the Council meeting on Tuesday night. At the request of the mayor, he led her into the Council Chambers at the start of the meeting and performed his cry again.

After that, Twomey read a proclamation naming weeks as the honorary Town Crier of Biddeford.

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.