Local characters.
Discussion
Hub said:
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.
I went to uni in Wolverhampton and drove past the Polish tramp in his tent on the ring road many times, wish I could have met him as he seemed like a fascinating bloke. I heard about the cowboy but never saw him!
Most days when I was waiting for the bus home from high school in Chasetown, a guy who was either permanently drunk or otherwise not all there would lurch past on a really old rusty bicycle, swinging about all over the road and waving to everyone he went past. We'd usually wave back, until one day there was a bit of a commotion and we saw him minus his bike for the first time ever, running along the road and waving. Shouts of "Where's yer bike?" followed him all the way down the road - sadly never found out his name or knew what became of him.
I really hoped this would have come out a bit better, I've seen this bloke out a few times in a town near me, well known apparently. He likes to spontaneously burst into dance moves and the like whilst out and about, you can just about make him out doing a little impromptu twerk at the side of the road.
PeteinSQ said:
London has of course got loads of these people.
Traffic cone busker
The preacher of Oxford Street, "don't be a sinner be a winner"
Running man of Surrey Quays (ran everywhere in normal attire carrying his stuff in a supermarket carrier bag, never saw him walk)
Some others that probably weren't that odd really but I thought they were when I was cycling to work. One memorable chap was always commuting to work in a full suit clutching a brief case. My wife and I used to have a chat with him quite often on Westminster Bridge and he was a really nice man. Just struck me as odd that he persisted with one handed cycling and a brief case in London traffic.
Don’t be a sinner, be a winner!Traffic cone busker
The preacher of Oxford Street, "don't be a sinner be a winner"
Running man of Surrey Quays (ran everywhere in normal attire carrying his stuff in a supermarket carrier bag, never saw him walk)
Some others that probably weren't that odd really but I thought they were when I was cycling to work. One memorable chap was always commuting to work in a full suit clutching a brief case. My wife and I used to have a chat with him quite often on Westminster Bridge and he was a really nice man. Just struck me as odd that he persisted with one handed cycling and a brief case in London traffic.
What happened to him I wonder?
He must have done that for 20+ years?
We have an old lady, quite bent over, pushes an old bicycle along what can be a very busy road.
Very much a fixture of the place.
Apparently owns hectares of hugely desirable land and has sold enough over the years to provide well for her wider family.
Struggles through town pushing an old bike……
evilmunkey said:
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
He’s from the Chapeltown area. Seen him numerous times in the past.shtu said:
This bloke was a fixture in the centre of Edinburgh for many years, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/1311647.stm
This is before my time in Edinburgh but I have seen him mentioned in various folklore of Edinburgh type Facebook pages.In my hometown I grew up with the local legends like Jimmy the Bus who was always to be found in the local bus station listening to the football scores on a Saturday afternoon. The town football stadium was nearby and I am sure he attended most games there too but he was handy if you were passing by and wanted to know how your team were doing.
Growing up, I was often told he was known to attend many a wake for the free food on offer and it was quietly tolerated because he was harmless and in many ways knew everyone and they knew him. He was a high street stalwart as I grew up but once I passed my driving test I had no reason to pass through the bus station and Elgin high street was pedestrianised too - I can't remember for the life of me when I last saw him but I moved away 2002.
JFC. I just googled him to back the post up and see that he has only very recently just passed away. I am absolutely staggered that he was only 71, I would have thought he was close to that age 20 years ago. https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/moray/34... I'm pleased to read such a kind article about him and know more about him.
RIP Jimmy "The Bus" McLean".
Another local legend but in Edinburgh was Arthur, who died the other year. He lived on the streets of Leith for 25+ years and was in fact the first ever homeless person I saw in real-life when I visited Edinburgh as a kid. I remember staying at a B&B called the Maple Leaf on Pilrig St and passing him near the church. I just remembered being in total awe at his dreadlocks and the fact that he was clearly homeless. When I moved here a few years laters for uni I occasionally saw him over the years. He's gone now but his memory lives on with a beautiful mural painted for him: https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/people...
Edited by beambeam1 on Saturday 28th August 23:34
Edited by beambeam1 on Saturday 28th August 23:35
Edited by beambeam1 on Saturday 28th August 23:36
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