Volume of support for suspended town crier grows

Knaresborough’s town crier 
Simon Shaw, 47, was suspended last month over “various complaints” which have not been made public.

His supporters believe his loud and opinionated manner may have rubbed up some people the wrong way.

Mr Shaw, who lives in Harrogate, remains defiant despite being told by his bosses at Knaresborough town council that talking to the media is doing his case no good.

He said: “I have been told that coverage in the newspapers is having a negative effect on Knaresborough but I am delighted with it.

“Everybody wants to know the reason why I have been suspended.”

Mr Shaw has discovered his suspension followed a complaint about him by the town’s chamber of trade which claimed his time-keeping was poor.

The chamber also complained that Mr Shaw was taking the crier uniform home rather than storing it on council property when not on duty.

It has now emerged that other complaints have been made but these have not been made public.

Mr Shaw, who suffers from bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic depression, is doing what he can to remain positive.

“I am very touched that 500 people have signed the petition; it’s an awful lot of people.

“It shows that people liked the way that I did the job, the energy that I put in during the 34 months that I have done it.”

Mr Shaw hopes to create a 
Facebook page for supporters in the next week.

The decision to suspend him pending an investigation has been criticised by town councillor Andy Wright.

Coun Wright said the allegations he had seen did not amount to a great deal and should not have led to his suspension.

“What is particularly obnoxious about the way this has been done is the fact that he has mental health issues.”

President of the chamber of trade Maurice Bardon said the letter of complaint about Mr Shaw had been written “on the back of complaints that we had from the general public about Simon coming late or not coming at all which was disrespectful to the town’s people”.

Mr Bardon said he would be happy to see Mr Shaw back as town crier if there was no case to answer.

“The best thing that could happen now is for the dust to settle while someone investigates this properly.”

Mr Shaw has said time-keeping was not covered in his contract.