logo
Pensioner circumnavigates Britain on his free bus pass

Pensioner circumnavigates Britain on his free bus pass

Telegraph08-05-2025

A pensioner is circumnavigating Britain in an epic 3,000-mile journey using his free bus pass.
Brother John Green's six-week trip will see him travel around England, Scotland and Wales to mark the approaching 900th anniversary of the almshouse where he lives.
His 'Brother on a Bus' tour will see him visit 31 cities and towns as he aims to raise awareness of the medieval Hospital of St Cross and Almshouse of Noble Poverty in Winchester, Hants.
Brother John, 85, will complete the trip dressed in the black gown and trencher hat that all 'brothers' residing at the almshouse are required to wear.
'I look a little bit different so people come up and talk to me,' he said. 'A lot of people are very friendly. I have learnt a lot about all sorts of things from people's lives.
'We get talking and they all think I'm absolutely bonkers, of course.'
The retired businessman and book-binder has been living at the almshouse, which was founded in 1132, for 10 years.
He was inspired to take action when several vacancies came up which took some time to fill, deciding it was time to spread awareness of the almshouse, which can house 25 men.
Brother John set off on the meticulously planned route on May 1 in a 'blissful' vintage vehicle provided by King Alfred Buses with many well-wishers waving him off.
He stayed in Brighton with four monks for his first evening of the trip. 'Which I can tell you is quite a different companion to the last time I was in Brighton,' he said.
He has already secured places to stay at the majority of his stops, but is still looking for accommodation in Glasgow, Cardiff and Bangor.
The trip has already seen its share of drama, thanks to roadworks in Great Yarmouth, which meant he was dropped off some distance away from the spot where the next bus was awaiting his arrival.
A search party was sent out, and he was eventually put back on track in a bus to Cromer, Norfolk.
Brother John's longest days will see him travel from around 9.30am to 6pm, with stops for lunch in various places, including Cromer, where he enjoyed the village's renowned crab.
In preparation for potentially bumpy journeys, he had packed several cushion seats, but having decided the bus seats are 'perfectly comfortable', he has now left the cushions with a friend.
He plans to travel Monday to Friday, carrying a copy of the book English Eccentrics, explaining: 'The weekends are for me to put my feet up and have a glass of gin and tonic.
Celebration of resilience and community
'I'm staying with people most nights so they've very kindly been providing me with supper and a chat before a jolly good night's sleep.'
'I'm thoroughly enjoying myself,' he added. 'If you don't do something to keep yourself entertained, what would you do?
'This is more than a journey; it's a celebration of resilience, community, and gratitude.
'After finding belonging at St Cross during a tough time, I want to show others that it's never too late to find purpose – or to take a leap.
'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.'
St Cross is a Grade I-listed building and has served as a home for the poor and needy since its foundation.
The almshouse – the oldest form of charitable housing in the UK – is home to a small group of men aged 65 and over.
Almshouses date back to the Middle Ages, with modern examples providing cheap social housing to older people in need.
At St Cross, brothers enjoy a self-contained flat, dating back to the 15th century, and free monthly haircuts.
Brother John's journey is expected to come to an end on June 17. Supporters can donate at

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Summer solstice 2025 - Stonehenge celebrations and more
Summer solstice 2025 - Stonehenge celebrations and more

BBC News

timean hour ago

  • BBC News

Summer solstice 2025 - Stonehenge celebrations and more

Thousands of people are set to mark the summer solstice, which signifies the end of spring, and for many is a spiritual celebration at dawn. Each year, pilgrims make their way to the base of Stonehenge in Wiltshire to witness the first rays of sunlight piercing through the ancient stone monument's design, built around 2500 BC, enables the sun to rise precisely over the stones on the summer solstice, sparking a sacred and symbolic year the alignment will fall on 21 June at 03:42 BST. What makes the solstice the longest day of the year? The summer solstice occurs when the earth's northern hemisphere is most tilted towards the sun, making it appear at its highest point in the this tilt, there would be no seasons due to an equal amount of daylight all is the time of year when the position of the rising or setting sun stands still in its movement along the word solstice comes from the Latin words for sun (sol) and to stand (sistere). How is the summer solstice celebrated? Many people gather around the Stonehenge circle, which is believed to have been used as an important religious site by early Britons about 4,000 years to English Heritage, it is likely worshippers conducted rituals and ceremonies relating to the changing seasons, the sun and the Neolithic people, sunlight provided warmth for them and their animals and for helping crops to grow. Today, people travel from around the world to witness this sacred alignment, and druid ceremonies are often performed with prayers, rituals and drums. Visitors are also permitted to be closer to the stones on this special day, potentially even touching them. How do I get there? For people travelling by train, Salisbury station is 12 miles (19 kms) have been warned that parking is very limited and visitors are advised to car share, English Heritage said. Visitors are also encouraged to cycle to the site and there is designated bike spaces in the car can find out more about travel options here. What shall I bring? Visitors are urged to wear sensible footwear and bring lots of warm layers if they are staying at the site umbrellas are not permitted, so a waterproof coat with a hat might be required. People have also been asked not to wear hi-vis jackets as this can cause confusion with safety officials. What else do I need to know? Visitors have been urged to respect the site, which is viewed as sacred by many people around the includes not climbing on the stones and taking all your rubbish away with it is a world renowned historic monument, amplified music and alcohol are not allowed at Stonehenge, in the surrounding landscape or in the car or remote-controlled flying devices are also banned.

The fanciest sport hospitality packages
The fanciest sport hospitality packages

Times

time4 hours ago

  • Times

The fanciest sport hospitality packages

The game hasn't even begun and I am already one charcuterie board, a platter of prawns, a gallon of sushi, a beef wellington and several beers deep. My football-watching career has started on a high. It was a Chelsea game in the box — a gift for my brothers' 40th (not from me — I'm a good sister but not that good). I left thinking I could watch the beautiful game more often. 'What was the score?' someone asked. 'Who cares? I had a cheeseboard at half-time!' You can fine-dine at almost all sports, from darts to the FA Cup final. Here is a list of luxury dining experiences at the biggest and best upcoming sports events. • This article contains affiliate links that can earn us revenue Now the Six Nations have been and gone, it's time to move on. Luckily for rugby fans, this year's Autumn Nations is ripe for booking. The series will see England battle it out with four of the most exhilarating southern hemisphere teams. It'll be a wild watch and there is no need to do it hungry — you know the players won't be. Fret not — if the burger vans don't tickle your finely tuned taste buds, the Allianz hospitality packages are here for you. 'Today's hospitality offerings go far beyond a simple meal and a seat. Guests are choosing packages based on the culinary style, the exclusivity of the setting, and the opportunity to engage with sporting legends, both past and present,' says Laura Jefferies, head of marketing at Twickenham Experience. The chef Tom Kerridge (who owns the only pub with two Michelin stars) will be cooking in the Lock restaurant during the Australia, New Zealand and Argentina games. Expect free-flowing fizz and a four-course English-inspired menu. The chef Ollie Dabbous — who has two Michelin stars — can be found creating culinary excellence for the Australia game in the East Wing restaurant. You'll be dining all day, from arrival appetisers to amuse-bouches to a four-course menu — with complimentary drinks. The same package will be available with the chef Tommy Banks — a judge on BBC's The Great British Menu — subbing in to steer the East Wing helm during the New Zealand game. 'On a single match day up to 45,000 plates of food are served within hospitality, with a team of 300 chefs across 41 kitchens and 2,250 hospitality staff, who each undergo training, to ensure the highest standards across every facility,' Jefferies says. Autumn Nations at Allianz Stadium is November 1-November 23. More information at and • Read more luxury reviews, advice and insights from our experts You could find yourself easily distracted at the races. If you don't have blinkered focus on the horses, your eyes may wander to the outfits and your nose may lead you to the food. Royal Ascot does not hold back when it comes to treating guests to gourmet cuisine — there are 29 Michelin stars shared between the chefs in residence — 'the most ever at Royal Ascot, or any sporting event globally,' according to Jonathan Parker, the managing director of 1711 by Ascot. Among the runners and riders are Raymond Blanc, who will mark his ten-year residency anniversary at Ascot, returning to the Panoramic Restaurant (which, as promised, serves its four courses overlooking panoramic views of the racecourse). Gazing at the horses in the parade ring is best done at the Parade Ring restaurant, where Simon Rogan will be presenting his five-course à la carte lunch. Lisa Goodwin-Allen, the Michelin-starred chef and winner of Great British Menu, returns for her second year at Royal Ascot, headlining the Queen Anne Enclosure's flagship restaurant, ON 5, which sits on the fifth floor and is glass-fronted to create the ideal view of the course. If you have been there, done that — you will likely want to do it again. But if you want to try the newbies on the Ascot block, the French chef Yannick Alléno is doing an alfresco pop-up with a small-plate concept that — given his 17 Michelin stars — is bound to be scrumptious. Likewise, Benoit Blin, the patisserie king, is also making his debut with a French-inspired afternoon tea — available in multiple restaurants and private boxes, everywhere short of the horses' stables. Royal Ascot runs June 17-21. These offerings are available for all guests but need to be booked well in advance; Test cricket may be as English as it gets. Free-flowing Pimm's, polite chitchat in the stands, intermittent sun bouncing off the players' whites. All in all, you're in for a lovely summer's day. Given that the match can last five days, it is more than justified to be entertained by other activities alongside the play. And what better activity is there than eating? 'At the Kia Oval our aim is to match the calibre of the cricket on the pitch with the fine dining we provide to the spectators,' says the director of operations, Alex Lewis. There is a myriad of casual-dining options spread all over the Oval grounds, including the fancy food truck Bob's Lobster serving lobster rolls at the Pommery Champagne bar on the concourse right next to the pavilion. But those seeking the classiest escapades will head to the Duchy Suite. The days starts here with a three-course gourmet lunch curated by the fabulous chef Ollie Dabbous. There's also a Pommery champagne reception, a brilliantly quirky afternoon tea — including Cacklebean egg mayo and cress sandwiches and canales cooked in beeswax — free-flowing complimentary drinks and, of course, padded seats on the Laker Balcony so you can plonk your well-fed self comfortably down as you buckle in for the long match head. Next chance to nab all that is the England v India Test, July 31-August 4. The Duchy Suite is £1,299 + VAT; The smell of burning rubber and highly tuned engines as the mighty cars go hell for leather up the track need not fill your nostrils at these races. Instead, your noses (and taste buds) can be redirected to the equally impressive food. With many hospitality packages to choose from, you could opt for a Lawn Garden party, the award-winning sustainable restaurant Farmer, Butcher, Chef, or the exclusive member-only clubhouse, the Kennels. For trackside viewing with gourmet dining, you have a few options. The Moss restaurant, named after Sir Stirling Moss — who not only had his first race at Goodwood but also won here more than any other driver — overlooks the starting straight. Clark is positioned on the famously dramatic Molecomb Corner with views of the hill climb from both inside the restaurant and the trackside balcony. And last but not least there is Goodwood's fine-dining experience at Surtees — named in honour of the only person to win world championships on both two and four wheels, John Surtees. Not only are the views of the action unparalleled, but the Michelin-starred chef Ollie Dabbous (who I'd hazard a guess at being a sports fan) will be preparing cuisine to match. The Surtees package includes unlimited drinks, a live DJ, VIP parking as well as a personalised concierge service. 'Whether it's a private paddock tour, a helicopter flight or photo moment on the balcony of Goodwood House, Surtees is the ultimate way to experience the Festival of Speed,' says Amy Yeates, the hospitality director at Goodwood. Goodwood Festival of Speed is July 10-13. The Surtees package is £2,100pp +VAT; Dating back to 1860, The Open is the oldest golf tournament in the world. It is also one of the most popular — so much so that tickets sell out almost instantly. Those for 2025 are sadly long gone. As are the hospitality packages, which included the silver-service fine-dining Engravers package — including breakfast, four-course à la carte lunch, complimentary bar and afternoon tea. Next year will approach in the blink of an eye — so it is best to start getting ahead of the game. The equivalent option on the 2026 line-up at Royal Birkdale would be the premium package. Although not silver-service, the experience holds its own. Guests get access to many wonderful restaurants — including Clarets, where you can dine on gourmet cuisine while looking out over the 17th green. The Retreat serves a charcuterie-style lunch overlooking the 7th green. Complimentary beverages will be served to guests in Clarets, the Retreat, the Platinum Lounge and Links, which all have top-class views of the top-class golf. The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale is July 12-19, 2026. Prices for the signature package start at £1,000 per person for the weekdays and £2,300 for the weekends; It wouldn't be the British summer time without Wimbledon. Dating back to 1868, this sporting spectacle is the oldest tennis tournament in existence. There is only one thing I can think of to improve this classic English event — fancy food. It's not all strawberries and cream. Whilst the talented players serve on the pitch, the equally talented chefs are serving off the court. For the snazziest of service, you are looking at Le Gavroche at The Lawn. Michelin star mastermind, Michel Roux, will be offering a five-course tasting Menu Exceptionnel with wine pairings, followed by the famous Le Gavroche Cheese Trolley and the Assiette du Chef (selection of five desserts). There will be a complimentary bar for continuous whistle wettening — whether it is with Vintage champagne or bespoke cocktails. Of course, that is just the beginning — this package includes seats with uninterrupted views of Centre Court, a private terrace and access to The Lawn's English-style garden with live music, a whisky and cigar bar as well as a huge outdoor screen so you don't have to miss out on a single second of action while having fun.

All flipper, no flop — the best places to see whales in Scotland
All flipper, no flop — the best places to see whales in Scotland

Times

time7 hours ago

  • Times

All flipper, no flop — the best places to see whales in Scotland

With humpbacks and orcas, minkes and even sperm whales, Scotland is one of the best places to see these majestic creatures this side of a flight to southern California — with basking sharks, porpoises and the world's largest bottlenose dolphins a spectacular bonus. Lisa Drewe, the author of Islandeering, picks out five of her favourite places to see them from land. At the tip of the Eye peninsula, near Stornoway, Tiumpan Head Lighthouse offers front-row views across the Minch. Below it, the strait's deep waters attract whales, dolphins and porpoises, making it one of the UK's best land-based locations for spotting them. Look out for distinctive grey-and-white Risso's dolphins and fin whales, or join the Whale and Dolphin Conservation's Shorewatch team for expert-led sightings. Coll's wild waters are a summer hotspot for basking sharks, the world's second-largest fish; they're often spotted gliding through the shallows with gaping mouths. From the ferry port at Arinagour you can enjoy stunning views over Mull and the Treshnish Isles, while coastal walks reveal harbour porpoises and bottlenose dolphins. Keep watch from the shore or ferry — minke whales and common dolphins thrive around this quiet, wildlife-rich island. On Mull's rugged north coast, the Glengorm estate enjoys sweeping views across the Hebridean Sea, where minke whales, bottlenose dolphins and basking sharks ply the waters. The castle at the estate's heart watches over wonderfully wild landscapes, while the shoreline is a prime spot for marine life. Join the Hebridean Whale & Dolphin Trust rangers every Thursday for a guided whale watch before warming up in the café, or exploring the coastal trails. • Never mind the Med, I'm longing to be back on Mull Shetland's southernmost point is a prime spot for orca-watching, thanks to the semi-resident orca pods. From the towering cliffs here are panoramic views over seas where minke whales and porpoises also hunt. The lighthouse above has a welcome café, and a base to explore one of the most accessible seabird and puffin colonies in Britain. Expert advice is available from the on-site Whale and Dolphin Conservation Shorewatch team, or check the Shetland Orca & Cetacean Sightings Facebook page. • Sumburgh Head lighthouse review — like stepping into Springwatch The Deerness peninsula, on mainland Orkney's wild eastern edge, is a prime spot to watch dolphins and porpoises. Harbour porpoises are often seen gliding through the waves, while white-beaked, white-sided and Risso's dolphins also patrol these rich waters. Dramatic cliffs offer sweeping views of the North Sea, and there is a fabulous coast walk to the Brough of Deerness, a rocky outcrop that was once home to a Viking settlement. Taken from Islandeering by Lisa Drewe ( £16.99). To order a copy go to Free UK standard P&P on orders over £25. Special discount available for Times+ members

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store