LONDON'S CHIEF TRUMPETER.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 115, 20 June 1914, Page 3

LONDON'S CHIEF TRUMPETER.

ABOLISHING AN OFFICE 400 YEARS OLD.

For the last 400 years, the "City I'athers" did anything or went anywhere of importance, they always, had their trumpets blown for them by four trumpeters led by a gorgeously uniformed official known as the Chief Trumpeter. >' Now, this old custom is to be abolished, says, the "Express," and the General Purposes Committee of the Court of Aldermen have decided that in future their place shall be taken by trumpeters from the Household Cavalry. Mr Thomas Callaghan has held the post of Chief Trumpeter for over seventeen years, and an "Express' representative, who found him playing the clarinet at the Wood Green Empire, asked him what he thought of getting the "sack" so abruptly. '{ Well, I suppose I have got it," said Mr Callaghan. "Except the Emperor of Austria, I have heralded every crowned head iu Europe, and I expected to do the same for the King of Denmark next week. I always receive notice of a function three weeks before, so that I eau warn mv three colleagues, but up to the present I have received no notice, so perhaps I shall get a sort of French leave me instead." Mr Callaghau was in the Ist Life Guards and was Household Trumpeter for twelve vears, and for sixteen years he was Chief Trumpeter at the Empire under Mr Leopold Wen/.el. The four chief functions at which the trumpeters preside are:— The election of the Lord Mayor. The swearing-in. V The banquet. ,-„.,. The Spital Sermon at Christ Church, Newgate Street. I The fee for the four is £lO 10/-, and other functions are paid for at the rate lof £2 2/- each.