Town crier of 40 years dies after royal honour

A town crier who served for 40 years has died at the age of 82 shortly after receiving the British Empire Medal.

Trevor Heeks was appointed town crier of Trowbridge, Wiltshire, after a public contest in 1986 and went on to win more than 160 competitions locally, regionally, nationally and even a world championship.

He received the honour officially earlier in October while at the Royal United Hospital, in Bath, from Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Dame Sarah Troughton, and was also recognised for his work with twinning.

Heeks told the BBC previously: "I first went out with the town crier when I was eight years old, in the Cotswolds where I grew up. I always wanted to be a town crier."

He said the town crier wins meant a lot after difficulties when he was young: "When I was younger I used to stutter, so it makes me feel proud to get what I can."

When he found out he was getting a British Empire Medal, he said: "I'm absolutely amazed. I'm only doing something I love to do. There's loads and loads of people round Trowbridge that do lots and lots and they haven't been recognised."

Local councillor Stephen Cooper paid tribute to Heeks, explaining he was "lifelong loyal and proud supporter of the monarchy", making the British Empire Medal "the pinnacle of his civic life".

Heeks was also involved in charitable causes, in particular Trowbridge Lions Club. In 2024, he was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship, which recognises outstanding dedication to humanitarian work.

Heeks, a husband, father and grandfather, told the BBC that his childhood influenced his want to give back: "We do what we can. My dad died when I was 11, my younger sister was three weeks old.

"It was a struggle, but all through life I've lived. My glass is always half full."

"I'm just Trevor, everybody knows me as Trevor and my feet are on the ground and I want to help anyone that I can."

Cooper explained Heeks's involvement in Trowbridge's twinning with the German community of Leer. He was a guest of honour at an annual event called Gallimarkt for 30 years, where in 2025 thousands shouted "Trevor, we love you".

In the same year, he was invited to sign Leer's ceremonial Golden Book. His name is now next to those like Heidi Klum and Angela Merkel.

The community in Leer paid tribute in a social media post: "The town of Leer owes a great debt of gratitude to Trevor Heeks. It will keep him as a cherished memory. He will remain unforgettable."

Cooper said Heeks "won over the hearts of everyone he came into contact with" and "for over 40 years his irrepressible decency, loyalty and sense of duty was a shining inspiration to everyone whose lives he touched".

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