Local characters.
Discussion
Peterborough
Vietnamese terry - Vietnamese gent with long scraggly thinning greasy hair, who has wore the same clothes as long as I can remember, wanders up and down the road talking to himself and occasionally throws himself around the church yard. Doesn’t seem to have aged at all in 10/15years.
Nobby the tramp - the story goes that he was a) minted, b) formerly a head teacher. Had a house fire where his wife died and basically just decided to live in a bus shelter, for I think the best part of 25years. He was once in the paper as a keen golfer claiming to be competing in a big competition in Ireland, turn out to be a complete yarn! After one particularly harsh winter, he finally accepted the councils offer of a property and started to tidy himself up a tad, well as much as clean clothes goes anyway. Sadly passed in 2015 I think.
Vietnamese terry - Vietnamese gent with long scraggly thinning greasy hair, who has wore the same clothes as long as I can remember, wanders up and down the road talking to himself and occasionally throws himself around the church yard. Doesn’t seem to have aged at all in 10/15years.
Nobby the tramp - the story goes that he was a) minted, b) formerly a head teacher. Had a house fire where his wife died and basically just decided to live in a bus shelter, for I think the best part of 25years. He was once in the paper as a keen golfer claiming to be competing in a big competition in Ireland, turn out to be a complete yarn! After one particularly harsh winter, he finally accepted the councils offer of a property and started to tidy himself up a tad, well as much as clean clothes goes anyway. Sadly passed in 2015 I think.
in Southend, there used to be a guy who had an owl perched on him all day, normally under the rail bridge in the high street iirc.
another guy did a puppet playing a guitar and was about 900 years old but blaring out 80s hair metal.
used to live a few doors from one barmy old bloke, a lovely guy. but often seen out in other people's skips etc in his underpants or dressing gown. helped him move some stuff once, his garden front and back looked like a reclamation yard, but his house was immaculate completely spotless, I expected piles of papers, etc but nothing like it. he was known around Benfleet, but by various names, just the guy who collected stuff.
Now in New Zealand, there is a guy who walks around Howick (local town) dressed a little like a Jedi Knight including a lightsaber but adds a Jason slasher mask to the ensemble to really spice it up sometimes. Not sure about his routine, but sometimes he stinks of BO others nothing. NOt sure he has a name.
Lastly in the same town, there is a guy who plays the guitar but laid flat on his lap style, plays a lot of blues etc, his playing is good has symbols as well on his feet, the singing not so much, so in honour of his skills, my wife and I call him slightly queasy Pete, he isn't as good as Seasick Steve.
another guy did a puppet playing a guitar and was about 900 years old but blaring out 80s hair metal.
used to live a few doors from one barmy old bloke, a lovely guy. but often seen out in other people's skips etc in his underpants or dressing gown. helped him move some stuff once, his garden front and back looked like a reclamation yard, but his house was immaculate completely spotless, I expected piles of papers, etc but nothing like it. he was known around Benfleet, but by various names, just the guy who collected stuff.
Now in New Zealand, there is a guy who walks around Howick (local town) dressed a little like a Jedi Knight including a lightsaber but adds a Jason slasher mask to the ensemble to really spice it up sometimes. Not sure about his routine, but sometimes he stinks of BO others nothing. NOt sure he has a name.
Lastly in the same town, there is a guy who plays the guitar but laid flat on his lap style, plays a lot of blues etc, his playing is good has symbols as well on his feet, the singing not so much, so in honour of his skills, my wife and I call him slightly queasy Pete, he isn't as good as Seasick Steve.
Neddy Sea Goon said:
A few from Medway:
Gillingham town centre had Stan. Didn't have much to do with him beyond "alright Stan", never gave him grief unlike others. Was always about, hard to understand him. Found out through Facebook he was some kind of chess grand master, and would sit in the park or high street and play a game with anyone who found time (wish I had)
Then there was Combo the Book. He was a groundsman for a couple of local schools in the eighties. Would always see him riding his bike about, like everywhere. New bike every couple of years as he just wore them out.
If you gave him a toot on the car horn, he'd shout and rant at you. I always used to give him an "alright John" out the window.
Didn't see him for years, then one day, bam, there he was riding his bike, but crucially wearing what can only described as women's Victorian finery, very flamboyant. Story was his mum died and he wore them to feel close to her. Was harmless enough. There was a YouTube video of some feckless scum hassling him in Gillingham High Street. Think plod tracked them down, then the locals dealt with them a bit too. Sadly he died from covid last year.
Finally, there's the beggar called "Billy the quid", he's just a f
king nuisance, intimidating people for a quid with his aggressive begging
Medway, it's getting a bit grim
I've always known Combo the Book to be called Nobby! Sad to see he has passed now, seemed to of suffered a lot of abuse from certain local scum, comments you read from people that personally knew him apparently was quite a nice person just a bit... different Gillingham town centre had Stan. Didn't have much to do with him beyond "alright Stan", never gave him grief unlike others. Was always about, hard to understand him. Found out through Facebook he was some kind of chess grand master, and would sit in the park or high street and play a game with anyone who found time (wish I had)
Then there was Combo the Book. He was a groundsman for a couple of local schools in the eighties. Would always see him riding his bike about, like everywhere. New bike every couple of years as he just wore them out.
If you gave him a toot on the car horn, he'd shout and rant at you. I always used to give him an "alright John" out the window.
Didn't see him for years, then one day, bam, there he was riding his bike, but crucially wearing what can only described as women's Victorian finery, very flamboyant. Story was his mum died and he wore them to feel close to her. Was harmless enough. There was a YouTube video of some feckless scum hassling him in Gillingham High Street. Think plod tracked them down, then the locals dealt with them a bit too. Sadly he died from covid last year.
Finally, there's the beggar called "Billy the quid", he's just a f
king nuisance, intimidating people for a quid with his aggressive beggingMedway, it's getting a bit grim
A more recent character of Medway known as the sheriff, seen around Rainham dancing and waving to traffic passing by on the A2, he has or had a Facebook page, unsure if he was a bit mental or just a very nice chap.
Short Grain said:
When I was a kid we had a guy who rode an old butchers bike, wearing all black and wellies and with a rubber chicken and a sign round his neck saying 'No Second Wife' Harmless usually but could take exception if he thought you where taking the piss!! Think his wife had left him for a mate or possibly his brother! He used to live in a shack in one of the pubs carparks, around the back, doing odd jobs
Used to be a guy who pushed a bike around with everything he owned. Never washed or shaved, looked like the Wild Man of Borneo Would see him begging outside local shops etc. Always gave him a couple of quid but he never really acknowledged it! Don't know his story but by all accounts he had a place to stay with family anytime he wanted but preferred his way. Was out in all weathers. His benefits where paid into an account but he refused to use them and they built up to a fair amount, so not as if he had to be on the streets. Local Police used to give him an old bike every now and again, one that they'd had for a while. He carried so much you couldn't see more than the bottom of the wheels and the ends of the handlebars, and he'd wear a bike out in a few months. Saw him with his own Security Guard 'escort' shopping around Sainsburys once. Made the mistake of walking down an aisle after him, He fkin stank!! And I mean stank, proper involuntary retching after I caught a whiff! Think they barred him after complaints of the smell. not by me btw. Haven't seen him for a few years, was this thread that reminded me of him tbh!
'kin hell, saw this guy again on Sunday, sat on a bench, bike loaded with shopping bags next to him. Lost a lot of his hair now and that shows the ingrained dirt even more! Used to be a guy who pushed a bike around with everything he owned. Never washed or shaved, looked like the Wild Man of Borneo Would see him begging outside local shops etc. Always gave him a couple of quid but he never really acknowledged it! Don't know his story but by all accounts he had a place to stay with family anytime he wanted but preferred his way. Was out in all weathers. His benefits where paid into an account but he refused to use them and they built up to a fair amount, so not as if he had to be on the streets. Local Police used to give him an old bike every now and again, one that they'd had for a while. He carried so much you couldn't see more than the bottom of the wheels and the ends of the handlebars, and he'd wear a bike out in a few months. Saw him with his own Security Guard 'escort' shopping around Sainsburys once. Made the mistake of walking down an aisle after him, He f
kin stank!! And I mean stank, proper involuntary retching after I caught a whiff! Think they barred him after complaints of the smell. not by me btw. Haven't seen him for a few years, was this thread that reminded me of him tbh!
Was wearing layer on layer of clothes, must have been sweating like f
k as it was a very warm day! Some real mental health issues there I think 
A few I can think of;
Leeds Recorder Man - While staying in Leeds for work I meant this guy. He stands in City Square in the middle of Leeds, wearing some 'interesting' clothes - including bright laces. Jumped in your face with his recorder and played a couple of notes. No one seemed to bat an eyelid at him during the morning commute.
More locally, a guy called 'Fly Catcher' - opened his mouth widely over and over again, never saying anything. Another story of a smart bloke who ended up wandering the streets. Apparently had a degree, and was a teacher until a robbery went wrong and he fell and bumped his head. Lives in sheltered accommodation, but doesn't stop him from wandering the streets most days.
'Les', an old man (circa 80+) who was apparently in the navy and now spends all of his time in local nightclubs drinking Blue WKD.
Leeds Recorder Man - While staying in Leeds for work I meant this guy. He stands in City Square in the middle of Leeds, wearing some 'interesting' clothes - including bright laces. Jumped in your face with his recorder and played a couple of notes. No one seemed to bat an eyelid at him during the morning commute.
More locally, a guy called 'Fly Catcher' - opened his mouth widely over and over again, never saying anything. Another story of a smart bloke who ended up wandering the streets. Apparently had a degree, and was a teacher until a robbery went wrong and he fell and bumped his head. Lives in sheltered accommodation, but doesn't stop him from wandering the streets most days.
'Les', an old man (circa 80+) who was apparently in the navy and now spends all of his time in local nightclubs drinking Blue WKD.
I don't know if they're well known characters or not, but we have a couple that pass my partner's flat on a regular basis, usually early in the morning. This is in Rosehill/Howdon near Wallsend.
First there's the guy we've named shouty tramp, who, we have ascertained, gets removed from wherever he sleeps at about 5:30-6:00 in the morning, and walks along the road toward the burn bank shouting at the top of his voice about "the situation in Africa, and what's happening on the Ivory Coast" every morning, and in the opposite direction, we have radgie chav who walks along the street playing "new monkey" music on a portable speaker.
I don't know what would happen if they were to meet, but shouty tramp has woken us up numerous times when we've had the window open; prompting my partner to say "why does he have to be out doing that at this time", to which my response was: "well, I think he's always out".
First there's the guy we've named shouty tramp, who, we have ascertained, gets removed from wherever he sleeps at about 5:30-6:00 in the morning, and walks along the road toward the burn bank shouting at the top of his voice about "the situation in Africa, and what's happening on the Ivory Coast" every morning, and in the opposite direction, we have radgie chav who walks along the street playing "new monkey" music on a portable speaker.
I don't know what would happen if they were to meet, but shouty tramp has woken us up numerous times when we've had the window open; prompting my partner to say "why does he have to be out doing that at this time", to which my response was: "well, I think he's always out".
Fascinating bloke, true eccentric in a decent way. MBE as well.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowy_Farr?wprov=sft...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowy_Farr?wprov=sft...
Riley Blue said:
vaud said:
Riley Blue said:
There was a chap in Bridgwater, in his early 20s, who thought he was a car and 'drove' everywhere, arms outstretched as if holding a steering wheel, going, "Brrrrm, brrrrrm, beep, beep!"
He'd drive into a car park, reverse into a space, switch off his engine, then start up and 'drive' off again; happy as Larry (who was Larry?)
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/forums/threads/disc...He'd drive into a car park, reverse into a space, switch off his engine, then start up and 'drive' off again; happy as Larry (who was Larry?)
https://knowhere.co.uk/Bridgwater/Somerset/South-W...
I remember my Grandfather telling me he was actually a very clever man.
In nearby Highbridge there was a chap who used to walk around wearing a suit jacket, shirt and tie, dress shoes and socks pulled right up, and nothing else... occasionally to be seen riding a bike like that too.
Used to cut through the playground of St John's junior school (lots of the public did at the time) I cant imagine anyone would get far doing that now.
In West Quantoxhead there was Billy, who went around wearing two pairs of glasses at once.
chris1roll said:
Riley Blue said:
vaud said:
Riley Blue said:
There was a chap in Bridgwater, in his early 20s, who thought he was a car and 'drove' everywhere, arms outstretched as if holding a steering wheel, going, "Brrrrm, brrrrrm, beep, beep!"
He'd drive into a car park, reverse into a space, switch off his engine, then start up and 'drive' off again; happy as Larry (who was Larry?)
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/forums/threads/disc...He'd drive into a car park, reverse into a space, switch off his engine, then start up and 'drive' off again; happy as Larry (who was Larry?)
https://knowhere.co.uk/Bridgwater/Somerset/South-W...
I remember my Grandfather telling me he was actually a very clever man.
It’s often said that its a fine line between genius and madness. I once worked with a reactor physicist, genuinely the most intelligent person I have ever met. He could work out extremely difficult mathematical equations on a whiteboard quicker than the other reactor physicists, using the computer software developed for the task of placing and relocating fuel rods in the reactor.
He wouldn’t acknowledge anyone on site and would walk around staring at the ceiling. He was often seen eating fish and chips in his suit waste deep in the sea.
But if you went to him for help with anything he would ask you to come back in 10 minutes and it would be solved.
He wouldn’t acknowledge anyone on site and would walk around staring at the ceiling. He was often seen eating fish and chips in his suit waste deep in the sea.
But if you went to him for help with anything he would ask you to come back in 10 minutes and it would be solved.
digimeistter said:
Gordon The Tramp in Bournemouth
Much loved character famous for always knowing the exact time even though he didn't have a watch.
https://www.facebook.com/NominateGordy/
He looked like a tramp and always just wandered around town, but actually lived/lives in a reasonable 3 bed semi in the suburbs! And he has his own wikipedia entry! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon_the_TrampMuch loved character famous for always knowing the exact time even though he didn't have a watch.
https://www.facebook.com/NominateGordy/
There was also a homeless chap with a bike and a radio that I'd always see in Christchurch... but then if I went to Ringwood he'd always be there too! A few years ago now though.
We had the local town drunk about 15 years ago, who had a fairly accurate psychic ability.
You’d invariably see him at one of the pubs in town every time you were out and he was friendly enough just usually the same level of intoxication each time (just about able to walk and talk).
If you could be bothered to chat to him when he was bumbling to you at the bar it was always fun to ask him to tell you when the mate of yours standing next to you’s birthday was. The first time I asked him mine he was a day out. And generally he would get the month right and more often than not be within a few days of the correct date. Would usually mention if they’d just got we’d/had a baby etc too.
You’d invariably see him at one of the pubs in town every time you were out and he was friendly enough just usually the same level of intoxication each time (just about able to walk and talk).
If you could be bothered to chat to him when he was bumbling to you at the bar it was always fun to ask him to tell you when the mate of yours standing next to you’s birthday was. The first time I asked him mine he was a day out. And generally he would get the month right and more often than not be within a few days of the correct date. Would usually mention if they’d just got we’d/had a baby etc too.
NuckyThompson said:
We had the local town drunk about 15 years ago, who had a fairly accurate psychic ability.
You’d invariably see him at one of the pubs in town every time you were out and he was friendly enough just usually the same level of intoxication each time (just about able to walk and talk).
If you could be bothered to chat to him when he was bumbling to you at the bar it was always fun to ask him to tell you when the mate of yours standing next to you’s birthday was. The first time I asked him mine he was a day out. And generally he would get the month right and more often than not be within a few days of the correct date. Would usually mention if they’d just got we’d/had a baby etc too.
he didnt just happen to also work at the births, deaths and marriages department of the local council and liked a 'boozy lunch'?You’d invariably see him at one of the pubs in town every time you were out and he was friendly enough just usually the same level of intoxication each time (just about able to walk and talk).
If you could be bothered to chat to him when he was bumbling to you at the bar it was always fun to ask him to tell you when the mate of yours standing next to you’s birthday was. The first time I asked him mine he was a day out. And generally he would get the month right and more often than not be within a few days of the correct date. Would usually mention if they’d just got we’d/had a baby etc too.
Tom _M said:
I moved to Wolverhampton in 2000, and it did seem to be rather a hotbed of the more eccentric. Probably best known was The Cowboy who went round, as the name suggests, dressed in full cowboy garb, toy guns included. Went round chatting to folk all day mainly. He gave that up a few years back and joined up with the local nutty God squad, so now hangs around town with them shouting about eternal damnation and Jesus saving you. Also well known was the Ring-Road tramp. Old guy with big beard who lived in a tent on a central reservation of the ring-road. Mostly spent his time sweeping up leaves. People would bring him food and gas canisters and bits, and seemingly the Council offered accommodation, but he refused. After he died more info came out about him being in the Polish army in WWII. Other notables included mug on a string guy, and the young girl who wandered around in a full Stormtrooper outfit. Am sure there’s more! Apart from the Cowboy all disappeared now.
I'm a Wulfrunian and remember being scared in the 70's/80's by the cowboy. How he's not been shot dead by some exuberant armed Police officer is beyond me, maybe they warned him years ago as I've not seen him with his guns for years. Fred was the tramp. I remember he had a Sky dish outside his tent on the ring road! (don't think it was real)
https://www.expressandstar.com/news/2008/04/22/tru...
Don't recall the stormtrooper girl though.
In Leeds there was a black fella who walked everywhere in full Egyptian pharoe type regalia . head dress the lot . saw him often ust walking about . looked kind of odd. but then i went to work i a job centre in leeds centre and he would come in . never caused a fuss, looked very intimidating. obviously a quirky bloke who was a fixture to the centre of town . he had some issues i think mentaly but was very articulate and respectful and obviously educated. not seen him in years
slopes said:
The other one that springs to mind is the Norwich Puppet Guy - i think that's what he is called - who gets just outside the shopping precinct in Great Yarmouth. Plays music, whistles and has some mangy old puppet on one hand that he waves about like a lunatic.
Been doing it for years apparently and used to do the same thing in his home town of Norwich until they kicked him out
I think someone figured out how much he was taking in each day and he was asked to pay some tax...Been doing it for years apparently and used to do the same thing in his home town of Norwich until they kicked him out
We also had the 'wavey man' who used to sit outside his house all day on a road between two towns in Norfolk (B1110 Dereham to Guist road) waving at passing cars. It was only a small hamlet he lived in and the neighbours started putting up signs asking people not to beep their horns at him
I'm guessing he's dead now, the Facebook group "I wave at the Waving Man on the B1110 Dereham to Guist road!!" hasn't had any posts for a long time...
edit - the signs are gone in the Street View of the location and that image was taken in 2009 so he must be long gone!
Edited by FunkyNige on Friday 9th July 14:05
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