In medieval times, a town crier was a reporter. The man responsible for announcing news to the town. His microphone was his voice, yelling the latest information to a crowd. When an execution took place, people learned about it from the town crier. Perhaps that's what drew me to this story.
In the 18th century, there were approximately 6,500 town criers across England. Now, 400-500 remain including a massive man who holds the role of Shrewsbury town crier.
Martin Wood arrives for work carrying a bag. He's dressed in a medieval costume with a triangular black hat on his head. He towers over everyone in the town square, reaching into his bag to retrieve the largest handled bell ever created by England's White Chapel bell foundry, the same company that cast Big Ben and the Liberty Bell.
Wood swings the 12-pound bell with ease and begins to shatter the morning quiet with a deep booming voice that rattles the windows and echoes down Shrewsbury's main street. Wood is welcoming the crowd. It's the crier in action.
At 7'2", Martin Wood is the world's tallest town crier. He embraces the role as tour guide, historian and walking photo op stopping to shake every hand. He is the face of Shrewsbury, the towering figure that draws stares and smiles.
Wood has a wonderful sense of humor as he reminds visitors that the town crier was once responsible for being the official ale tester when Shrewsbury had 700 pubs in the 14th century
"That's two pubs a day," Wood jokes. "Somebody had to do it."
Wood knows the town's pub history, saying the "Golden Cross" is England's oldest licensed pub, dating back to 1428. That's all we needed to hear. We ducked out of the light rain, found a table and enjoyed fish and chips and a steak sandwich.
After lunch, we continued to videotape the village located in Shropshire county - between Birmingham and Wales in what's referred to as the Midlands.
In the afternoon, we drove 45 minutes to the Rocke Cottage Tea Rooms in Clungunford which is also in Shropshire county. Karin Clarke owns a charming country tea house that is the envy of England.
Rocke Cottage was awarded the country's "Best Tea House" in 2011 - the top award given by the Tea Guild that surveys tea houses across England.
Clarke has turned a former pub into a tea house from the 1940's. The decor sets a magnificent scene for those wanting a refreshing cup of tea while relaxing in an environment that takes you back 70 years.
Clarke offers a variety of teas plus homemade scones and cakes. The atmosphere is relaxed with people spending several hours enjoying Clarke's country home cooking and piping hot tea.
On the drive back to Shrewsbury, we drove through rolling hills dotted with sheep grazing in the grass until we reached "The Pound" restaurant in Leebotwood.
Suzanne and Peter Starns, from nearby Picklescott, England sat at the table next to us and began to strike up a conversation about their life in England. They were enthusiastic about living in this picturesque part of the Olympic host country and conveyed a warm, friendly attitude that we have seen many times during our 11 day visit.
Tomorrow, we head to Liverpool. It's a pilgrimage for Beatles fans. The stories that we gather along the way will air this summer during our station's Olympic coverage.
Good night from England.
