British town crier cries foul

TEWKESBURY, England, Aug. 11 (UPI) -- A British man's complaint to the Ancient and Honorable Guild of Town Criers says a fellow crier violated the crier's moral code by encroaching on his territory.

Mike Kean-Price, 67, town crier of Tewkesbury, England, said Peder Nielsen, the town crier of Bromyard, England, violated the moral code of the historic profession by attending the opening of a Holland & Barrett shop in Tewkesbury in full costume and announcing the official opening, The Daily Telegraph reported Wednesday.

Nielsen has a contract with Holland & Barrett to attend all openings and events related to the health food chain.

However, Kean-Price said Nielsen "invaded" his territory and should have passed him the assignment.

"It's a moral thing. I've never gone into another town and taken the job of another town crier," he said. "Each town has their own crier and I've always kept to that."

Nielsen said he did not know of his fellow crier's disapproval until after the event.

"I contacted them and let them know what was happening. I spoke to Mike and we were very affable. He gave no indication to me whatsoever that he was disgruntled at all," he said.