UP CLOSE: With Kingston’s Town Crier and Tipstaff
Mike Seigel, Kingston's Town Crier and Tipstaff, has lived in the borough for 40 years and thinks it is "a great place to live".
Having grown up in Edgware, North London, Seigel later studied Classics at Oxford University, before living in Barnes when he taught History, Latin, and Greek at St Paul's School.
He then moved to Kingston after marrying his wife in 1985, and later became Headmaster at Rokeby School before going on to be the Chair of Kingston Tour Guides.
"I feel very much part of the Kingston community," he said.
During his time as the Chair of Kingston Tour Guides, Seigel was appointed as Kingston's Tipstaff and Town Crier in 2018 by then Mayor of Kingston, Julie Pickering.
At this point, there had not been a Town Crier or Tipstaff for many years, but Mayor Pickering wanted to bring the roles back, and so asked Seigel if he would like to take them on, having met him a "few times and getting to know" him says Seigel.
The term of office is three years and Seigel, now in his third term, is willing to be reappointed for a fourth term in 2027 if the Mayor's Office and council invite him to do so.
Alongside his roles as Town Crier and Tipstaff, Seigel is also a lecturer in History on Viking cruise ships and a volunteer for the Talking Newspaper.
Historically, a Town Crier was a person appointed to make public announcements in a town or village, typically by shouting out news or proclamations in a public place, and today towns all across the country still have one, though, in this age of smartphones, the role is very different now.
A Tipstaff, on the other hand was an officer of the law who assisted the sheriff and would arrest people for minor offences. He would use his tipstaff to tap the offender on the shoulder and then produce the warrant for arrest from inside it. So it was the forerunner of the policeman's baton.
Today Kingston is the only place in the UK other than the Royal Courts of Justice in central London to have a tipstaff - thus making Kingston very special. The role has also changed very much, and Seigel leads processions on formal occasions such as on Remembrance Sunday and also for the Crown Court Service each September.
In an exclusive interview with Kingston Nub News, Seigel shared his knowledge of the history of the roles, saying: "Nobody knows when the roles exactly started, but probably some time in the Middle Ages when they were separate offices.
"However, the roles were stopped when war broke out in 1914. It wasn't until 70 years later, in 1984, that they brought the roles back, but this time, they were combined as they are today, and I think two people held the post during that time, and when the second one passed away, it went into abeyance."
Seigel explained that his combined role is an "honorary office" that runs for three years at a time.
Speaking about the two roles, he said: "Sometimes I act as Town Crier and at others as Tipstaff - the uniform is slightly different.
As Town Crier, Seigel attends many events, both in Kingston and across the country.
For example, on Thursday, 8 May, he, like all Town Criers across the country, gave a proclamation to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day.
Seigel has also "had to do things for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee and King Charles' Coronation.
Speaking about the King's Coronation, he said: "I was asked to write a speech combining the coronation of King Athelstan in Kingston, of which we are now celebrating the 1100th anniversary.
"My brief was to pretend it was the year 925 and we were having Athelstan's coronation, and then I was looking ahead 1100 years to the coronation of King Charles."
As the Tipstaff, Seigel says he has various "formal events", such as the changing of Kingston's Mayors at the Guildhall on Tuesday, 13 May, and in a few weeks, he will be attending an annual civil service at All Saints Church where he will lead the procession from the Guildhall to the church and back.
He also works closely with Kingston Council and whichever Mayor is appointed during his service term.
Speaking about his time working with Kingston's former Mayor, Councillor Liz Green, Seigel said: "There's a lot coming up this year with the anniversary of Athelstan's coronation, and the outgoing mayor had lots of new ideas for events where she invited me to play full part.
"For example, she organised a comedy night earlier this year, and she sked me to host it. She thought it would add to the comedy to have the Town Crier hosting.
"And when it was the Gala Ball, she [Cllr Green] wanted the theme to be 'Kingston through the ages', and so she asked me to introduce each course with a little bit of history that was appropriate, interesting, and amusing.
"So, ultimately, I do whatever I'm asked to do, and to quote the last mayor, 'I embrace the role'."
As part of his role, Seigel attends events dressed in a traditional Town / Tipstaff uniform, which looks like something from the 18th century, which he quite "rather enjoys".
He said: "I don't mind dressing up and looking silly or whatever. So many people want to take a selfie with me when I'm in my uniform - I do quite enjoy that.
"I usually keep my uniform in the Guildhall, but there have been times when I've taken it home because I've got something on locally, and I get some people either looking at me or making a joke.
"A few weeks ago, some guy said, 'Oh, you're in the wrong century mate', but most people just walk past me, not batting an eyelid. They probably think I'm off to a Fancy Dress party."
Seigel says he "thoroughly enjoys" being Kingston's Town Crier / Tipstaff.
He said: "I've worked with several mayors now, and they all have their different styles. Consistency is retained through the Mayor's office where a wonderful team supports the Mayor – I get on with them really well, which makes what I do enjoyable and worthwhile.
"And the longer I do it, and the more councillors I get to know, This adds to my feeling part of the team and I enjoy being part of the community and being able to contribute in whatever way individual mayors require.
"It's feeling part of a team and being a part of the history and heritage of Kingston, which I think is very important.
"I also love that I get to meet so many new people within the community."
Seigel says that Kingston's recently appointed mayor, Councillor Noel Hadjimichael, has got "various ideas" for his mayoral term, such as making the Mayor's Vintage Bus Tour, which took place earlier this month, an annual event.
Seigel added: "He [Cllr Hadjimichael] would also like me to do some walking tours around Kingston, which I've done before for other mayors."
The Town Crier says our former mayor, Cllr Green, "is great fun" and that he "was very happy" when he heard the news about Cllr Hadjimichael's appointment as Kingston's new mayor, as they already know each other well since Cllr Hadjimichael is one of Seigel's local councillors in Canbury Gardens.
He said: I think that Noel's going to be equally active and just as innovative as Liz. He's got some great ideas and very much wants to get out and meet as many people within the borough as he can."
Despite not having grown up in Kingston, Seigel knows a lot about the borough's history.
When asked how he acquired all his history knowledge, he said: "I've always been interested in history, I just love it.
"My wife thinks I have a phenomenal memory, but I think it's probably just above average.
"I remember a lot of things because I'm interested in historical facts and dates, and when I did the training course to become a tour guide, I learned a lot, but it's much easier when you compare it against a general background of history and put things into contact."
He added: "Having taught all my life, I think I know how to explain things properly.
"For example, when I lecture on the ships, some people in the audience have immense knowledge as well, whereas others know next to nothing. So, you need t to walk that tightrope of not patronising the people who know a lot, while at the same time explaining things carefully to those who may know far less."
Seigel says that while many people like Kingston for its shopping and eateries, "it's the history and heritage that makes it so very special".
Share:
