Joseph Parr

Pindar and common crier of Derby

In the mid-nineteenth century the position of town crier was fundamental to spreading the news and important announcements to a town’s citizens.

Many people at this time were unable to read or afford the newspapers and broadsheets which were available so the verbal communication of a Town Crier was considered the most effective way of disseminating information.

Joseph Parr, born in 1790, became the Town Crier of Derby during his lifetime and although little is known of his life and background today he was once one of the most immediately recognised of Derby's citizens. Parr is believed to have been a descendant of a decayed branch of a local family which had rented space in 'The Shambles' (a collection of narrow and old streets in [http://www.youandyesterday.co.uk/articles/Chesterfield Chesterfield] , which houses one of Britain's oldest pubs) since 1540 and had produced a mayor in 1723. Parr died in in 1868, aged 78.

A photograph of Joseph Parr in his Town Criers uniform taken circa 1859 can be seen in the article by Peter Seddon [http://www.youandyesterday.co.uk/articles/Parr%2C_Joseph_-_Town_Crier_of_Derby Joseph Parr - Town Crier of Derby]