
Man, 85, to stop in Bangor on six-week UK bus adventure
John Seager Green, from Winchester, began his adventure at the start of May.
He is travelling the length and breadth of the UK by bus, using his free bus pass.
Mr Green will be stopping in Bangor on Monday 2nd June, arriving at Bangor Bus Station Stand B at 4.18pm.
The full map of Mr Green's bus adventure (Image: Supplied) The journey is part of a project called "BOB – Brother on a Bus", which aims to raise awareness of almshouse life, promote the work of The Hospital of St Cross and The Almshouse of Noble Poverty, and celebrate its upcoming 900th anniversary.
Mr Green has already passed John O'Groats and is now making his way to Bangor via Keswick, Kendal, Liverpool, Chester, Rhyl, and Llandudno.
He is set to visit 31 destinations across England, Scotland, and Wales, returning to Winchester on June 17.
Mr Green started his adventure from his home in Winchester on May 1.
Dressed in his traditional black cloak with the emblem of the Hospital of St Cross, he began his journey from the almshouses.
A vintage bus carried Mr Green, along with the Mayor of Winchester, the Chair of Trustees, Sir Jonathan Portal, and Nick Philips, CEO of The Almshouse Association, as well as residents, to the bus station where he transferred to a Stagecoach South service to begin his national route.
Mr Green said: "Almshouses not only provide a home - they provide a life.
"I hope to show people that almshouses are not just places to live, but places to thrive.
"And at 85, I want to prove it's never too late for an adventure."
Along the way, Mr Green is staying in almshouses and community accommodations, sharing reflections via short videos, and engaging with passengers and residents about community and heritage.
He will be supported by Stagecoach, and other bus service providers, who are providing bus travel throughout.
Mark Jackson, operations manager at Stagecoach South, said: "John's journey is a wonderful testament to the power of public transport in connecting people, places, and communities."
Nick Phillips, CEO of The Almshouse Association, said: "We are absolutely delighted to support John on his remarkable journey.
"Almshouses represent the oldest form of charitable housing, offering not just shelter, but a true sense of home, companionship, and community.
He added: "We wish John safe travels, new friendships, and wonderful adventures.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Powys County Times
15 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Powys train driver says Tornado test was 'career highlight'
The driver who helmed an iconic steam train as it was tested on his home railway in Powys has called it the highlight of his career. When the LNER Peppercorn Class A1 60163 Tornado steam locomotive was taken along the Cambrian Line earlier this year, it was helmed by Machynlleth train driver John Rogers. He was behind the controls of the record-breaking train while it did overnight runs between Newtown and Shrewsbury as the world's first operational steam locomotive to be fitted with digital signalling technology European Train Control System (ETCS). John said: 'I worked for Network Rail when they were converting to a new signalling system as part of the operations team. I then left to go driving classic steam trains, including the Tornado. 'Having some experience both driving that locomotive and operating new signalling systems, I guess that made me a good choice to helm it during the testing along the Cambrian Line, which happened to be my home railway. "It also meant I had experience driving steam and was familiar with the route we'd be taking.' The Tornado was built in 2008 and based on an original design by Arthur Peppercorn. The Cambrian line was chosen as a railway to test the new digital signalling system, completing overnight runs in April 2025 when the line was quieter. 'It was an absolutely phenomenal experience," John added. "Doing it on my home railway made it extra special, especially after a 15-year gap of steam locomotives on that railway. I was very proud to be the driver of the first one on that line for more then a decade. 'I think the Cambrian line is the jewel in the crown of Welsh railways. Hopefully one day we'll see more steam on that railway. 'Driving the train with the new system came naturally, as it's been integrated so well. The team did such a good job on designing it that the system fit in really well. It's a massive leap in technology and an incredible achievement to get as far as it has. 'It's been the highlight of my career to take that train on that line. The only way it could have been better would be to pull into my hometown of Machynlleth, but the train was so large that the station would not be able to accommodate it. 'I believe it's the biggest engine ever to pull into Newtown Station. A lot of the stations in Mid Wales were built for small engines so Newtown was as far as we could take the Tornado, but also as far as we needed to for testing.'


Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
How Gen Z plans to balance summer fun with budget constraints
A recent survey has found Gen Z are not holding back from making the most of their summer - looking for a variety of ways to stay on budget Research has unveiled that Gen Z's dream summer would include five festivals and four overseas trips, despite having less than £1,000 to splurge. They aspire to enjoy seven beach days and embark on four staycations during the year's warmest three months, with 23% considering a theme park visit an essential summer activity. Despite financial constraints, 23% are adamant about securing tickets to at least one music festival this summer, and a holiday abroad with friends is deemed 'non-negotiable'. As such, with 79% uncertain about affording their desired activities, nearly four in 10 are strategising cost-effective travel methods to maximise their budget. Quality transport between events is considered crucial by three quarters of respondents, as they seek comfort on lengthy journeys and aim for an optimal start to their trip. This useful tool, provided by National Express, demonstrates how you can fully enjoy your festival experiences - without breaking the bank. Simply enter your postcode and that of your favourite party companion, and it will display all the summer festivities you could be attending. John Boughton, commercial director for National Express, which sponsored the research, commented: "While the appetite for adventure is sky-high, the reality of rising costs means many young people are having to balance their dreams with what's actually doable." Talking about the tool, John said: "we are fortunate enough to have hundreds of festivals and events around the UK at our disposal, but a major obstacle is the cost of an entertainment-packed weekend in a field – the prices can easily reach into the hundreds. "That's why we're seeing Gen Z getting smart with their spending-being selective, savvy and seeking out ways to make the most of their money, with the travel there and back being key." The study also discovered that Gen Z plans to attend six BBQs this summer and eat fish and chips by the seaside six times, while 29% would love to spend more on dining out or takeaways, to avoid the hassle of cooking. One in five have made arrangements to splurge on one or two main things this summer. However, according to the figures from 72% now view having fun in the summer as a 'luxury'. Despite this, 43% still believe it's more important to have fun in the sun – compared to the 15% who think being sensible is a better option. John added: "Ultimately, Gen Z aren't prepared to sit the summer out. "They're finding clever ways to stay in the moment, prioritise what matters most, and still have an unforgettable time and it is encouraging that they are looking for affordable, reliable and comfortable travel to get the most out of their summer. "This is a generation that thrives on fun, freedom and flexibility-and they're making it work, one plan at a time."


Press and Journal
2 days ago
- Press and Journal
Earthquakes, mistaken identity and a 14-hour wait for a ride: Hitchhiker lifts lid on journey from Aberdeen to Hong Kong
Despite only being halfway through his journey, John Dougan has already been mistaken multiple times for a Russian-American defector, survived an earthquake and forced to wait 14 hours for his next ride. John left the Granite City two months ago to set out on his epic hitchhiking route that will span over 14,000km and up to 25 countries – his final destination, Aberdeen, Hong Kong. The 32-year-old recently found himself worn out and struggling with his mental health. John was seeking a more independent life, which led him to quit his corporate job and create his social channels. He wanted to share honest content with users, highlighting the highs and lows of his trip. His journey across the globe has thrown up various challenges beyond the regular hurdles of hitchhiking. John, originally from Glasgow, has been stopped multiple times at borders and mistaken American-Russian defector John Mark Dougan. Not only do the two share the same first and last names, but they both have the same birthday. John Mark Dougan is a former U.S. Marine who fled to Russia in 2016, accused of running websites that spread Russian propaganda. He said: 'At the borders, they are a little bit worried we are the same person, so it became a problem 'But because Turkey is such a big country I haven't had to deal with it in a few weeks, thankfully' said John. John Mark Dougan now follows the hitchhiker on Instagram and often likes and comments on his posts. John spoke about the troubles he faced with getting from place to place. He said: 'It can become quite a challenge, but it depends where you are. Cities are very difficult to get out of and its all about positioning. It becomes a bit of a skill that you pick up and you learn techniques.' He told The Press & Journal that cultural differences have played a huge part in his journey so far, explaining that some cultures are more open to hitchhiking than others. 'You see countries through a different lens, and you get to know the people and the culture of a country much better,' John added. However, it hasn't all been plain sailing for John. While at the German-Austrian border, he was left waiting 14 hours for a lift as nobody stopped. He continued: 'It was hard because it was still relatively early into the trip, and it was one of those moments where I thought, is this even going to be possible?' While in southeastern Turkey, a 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck the area John was passing through. At least one person has died in the quake. John said: 'I've been in a couple of earthquakes before but when you wake up during the night and the whole building is shaking, its quite scary.' On top of waiting for a ride and navigating an earthquake, John has also had to balance his budget. Having travelled before, he's no stranger to the cost of seeing the world. Money was a topic that came up in most conversations on his journey towards Hong Kong. Many drivers have discussed inflation and how it has affected countries in Europe as well as Turkey and Albania. He said: 'Countries that were once inexpensive to travel and live in are now almost equivalent to European prices.' John is currently in southeastern Turkey and plans to go on to the Caucasus region, across the Caspian Sea and into Kazakhstan and China. To follow John's journey, visit his TikTok and Instagram, where he shares the highs and lows of his trip. He is also using the platforms to raise awareness and funds for mental health charities, another reason for his expedition. John is hoping to reach Aberdeen, Hong Kong by October but is now hoping to extend his travels into a bigger trip around the world – minus the hitchhiking.