Topic ID 334
I was talking to a friend yesterday and we found that we had both noticed certain people around Hertford. There are probably many of these characters that you might have noticed....... 1) Mayor Ruffles (okay, a bit obvious) 2) The large guy with two dogs who walks up from North Road to St Andrews St with his wife behind him. 3) The guy who drinks in the White Horse and looks like Jeremy Clarkson. 4) The old guy with long hair and a beard who used to cycle in to the Barge. There were many more. In a strange way, bumping into these characters is part of living in Hertford. Do you have any more to add?
Reply ID 2392
I suppose that one of the more pleasant aspects of my job is that I see more of Hertford's characters than most. Some I dare not mention owing to the laws of libel; but two spring to mind. One is a lady usually with half a dozen kids in tow with more tattoos and piercings than i thought possibly through so few protruding bits of the body. She used to be bald but now appears to be growing hair. The second is my mate Lionel the artist who can usually be seen outside Hertford's coffee shops sketching or passing the time of day with someone or usually doing what we like to call 'people watching'. As for your numbers 3 and 4 I know them as Corky and Robbie, the latter I haven't seen around for a few months, but he also had a mate that dressed like an urban cowboy. If you pass through Folly island you may also be aware of a scatty but attractive young lady with three dogs, driving a sports car with music up loud. Not the dogs, who have since had pups and multiplied to 18! If i think of any more I'll let you know.
Reply ID 2395
Would Lionel be the chap who frequents the Courtyard and The Old Cross Tavern?
Reply ID 2396
Robbie is known to some as Bob. The Urban Cowboy you mention is also known as Skint Eastwood.
Reply ID 2397
Lionel paints many of the pictures of pubs that you see. Didn't Corky's mum live in Queens Road? I think I know the large man with the dog.... I have only ever seen one dog. They walk ahead, and a lady with a long dress and her hair in a bun always walks behind them. They never ever seem to say anything to each other. He always looks very grumpy. My friends and I think she is his sister.
Reply ID 2398
You're right. I meant one dog.
Reply ID 2400
Yep, Lionel is a well known figure in most of Hertford's coffee bars and pubs. He painted the picture of Serendipity that is inside and one of St Andrew Street in OXT. That one always worried me until he told me that the street is deserted because all the people are in the Chinese Takeaway. The other chap I miss is Big John, the Big Issue seller that stood outside Thorntons/Birthdays. Always happy, always spoke to everybody and always did a good trade in all weathers. The latest sellers have none of his charm or ability to sell.
Reply ID 2411
Big John was great - I used to buy the Big Issue from him even though I think the magazine itself is rubbish. Isn't it funny how anyone whose name is prefixed with "Big" is usually considered "a character"?
Reply ID 2461
Saw the large guy tonight...........definitely 2 dogs.
Reply ID 2462
Yeah but his ladyfriend/sister/familiar was walking one of them
Reply ID 2464
Not when I saw them. But then she was walking 6 paces behind and was weighed down with many bags of shopping.
Reply ID 2481
Bob (the guy with the bike & beard) has been around since I can remember (now 28!!) always tanned, always working at some sort of odd job. He used to make gorgeous jewellery by hand, don't know if he still does. Definitely one of the famous characters. Is the guy with the ginger cat on his shoulder still around? I don't live there anymore so don't recognise the others you all have mentioned!
Reply ID 2483
I think one of these 'characters' should switch on the grand Hertford christmas light show.. I vote for the bloke with the bun haired lady
Reply ID 2485
Wingnut..........best post I've seen for a long time! He's got my vote too!
Reply ID 2486
Thanks.. I reckon 'Corky' should be M C as I've overheard him in the White Horse and he don't half sound clever!
Reply ID 2487
There is actually a space going spare on the McMullens dray but I doubt if the Town Council will give it to any of the above nominees. Shame !! On the other hand, it is my call! However, top of Ewoowar's list Peter Ruffles will be there.
Reply ID 2488
Mr Sloop/John (which do you prefer?).............if there really is a space and you're at a loss then why not open it up for suggestions either on this forum or, better still, using Hertbeat FM. Using Hertbeat would get some publicity for the event...........are they involved already? Or what about a competition to become Santas helper for the day (Santa is on the dray, isn't he?).......people could nominate a child and give a reason why they should be Santas helper.......on the radio this could be achieved very quickly. Just some ideas........
Reply ID 2499
All day I've been out searching for an attractive young female. But that's another story. I met with hertbeat this morning. They are providing PA system, on air competition for a hamper and doing tons of promos. But have settled on a pretty young lady from Waitrose as they are one of the major funders of the lights and ought to be represented. As this is Year 1, it was thought right that Mayor shouid turn on lights and as you can read in Mercury other major contributors deserve recognition because it has been a massive contract. Next year I think we ought to run a celebrity comp from amongst Hertford's unsung heroes.
Reply ID 2501
Waitrose are helping to fund the lights? Right..........I'm buying extra spuds next visit. What a great store.
Reply ID 2502
How do I become a Character?
Reply ID 2503
I'd say you already are.
Reply ID 2509
Very interesting reading but does anyone remember Danny the Tramp? I'm going back probably to mid 70s but a real character and a gentleman!
Reply ID 2511
Unfortunately I only moved to Hertford 10 years ago so I don't think I ever saw Danny. But the very name conjours an image and a character. I feel a book coming on, if it hasn't been done already (or if Mr Sloop hasn't already started!). Perhaps I should go further into Hertfords characters of the past too.
Reply ID 2513
I grew up in Hertford but now live out of town but still visit now and again. Danny was always to be seen around the town - usually a little worse for drink and dishevelled looking but always friendly and polite. Think he came from Horns mill. Died ages ago - probably from the demon drink!
Reply ID 2514
Regarding Danny the Tramp, that was a long time ago, and I haven't seen him, but I am sure I have heard people talking about him. Didn't he also always dress very smartly.
Reply ID 2520
yep, thats right. Usually with a hat too.
Reply ID 2535
There was an older lady who drank in the Great Eastern She passed away last year she only drank halves.
Reply ID 2561
.......and what about Wally Temple. Both of them, expecially the old fella.
Reply ID 2606
One Hertford character who is very much missed is Eric the former landlord of the Blackbirds. Rumour has it that one Sunday, Eric announced to all his customers that they were to leave their drinks, as he was locking the pub and taking them all to the Salisbury to buy a round. They then all returned to their drinks at the Blackbirds an hour or so later. I have never, ever heard of anyone doing that [:0]
Reply ID 2616
speaking of which, does anyone know what's happening to the white lion on bengeo street? it's been shut the last few days, and I saw a skip pull up there this morning... please please please say it's been taken over and is going to be turned into a cosy little friendly pub....please...!!!!
Reply ID 2619
Bengeobabe - please post the above as a new topic rather than appending to an unrelated one [:)]
Reply ID 2620
sorry!!
Reply ID 2836
I am really disappointed that this thread ceased. It was really interesting, surely someone has something else to say about Hertford Characters??[:I]
Reply ID 2837
How's about; 1) The Wisp..........the grey haired chap who scuttles along Hertingfordbury Road with Tesco carrier bags. 2) Snack man..........who works in Tesco and only ever fills the crisp shelves. 3) Mr Lam..........! ! ! !
Reply ID 2838
Another Character spotted recently is rather fat with a large white beard, always wears red..i've seen him around several pubs and an estate agents
Reply ID 2844
I remember Danny, very polite but always a little worse for wear! does anyone else remember Boris? That is going back but he suffered from downs syndrome, he lived in bengeo with his mother and I can vividly remeber him with his wheelbarrow and planks of wood etc across it widthwise walking up and down Port Hill. All the traffic used to wait for him! Not sure it would happen now.
Reply ID 2859
quote:Is that the one who takes his pet reindeer for a walk?[:p]
Originally posted by wingnut
Another Character spotted recently is rather fat with a large white beard, always wears red..i've seen him around several pubs and an estate agents
Reply ID 2947
My wife looked at me from over the jobs pages and said: ' here's one for you - 7.5 tonne driver required.' I know plenty of characters around town that fit the bill better than me - some are at least 8 tonne. I have always been alarmed by the other job offered - blind fitter required'. How would he know what he was fitting?[:D]
Reply ID 3057
I popped into town on Saturday and bumped into Corkie, Bob and 'two dogs' within 10 minutes........ He shoots........he scores.........A HATRICK!
Reply ID 3120
For those who have not seen Wizkid's post..... http://www.hertford.net/yoursay/topic.php?id=403
Reply ID 4151
Newspaper lady. There's a quiet, mild mannered, middle-aged lady who delivers newspapers every day to what seems like the whole of Hertford. I have seen her in Riversmeet, Fordwich Rise, Beane Road, Elton Road, Port Vale, St Andrews Street.......
Reply ID 4152
no one seems to have spotted Half Pint, a very lovable old man who lives in the flats opposite the bus station. He frequents all the pubs in town and buys half a pint at every one (chiswick if they sell it). He always seems lost, if seen during the day he walks around the town staring into shop windows for hours at a time. I have also seen him taking a cheeky piss in the side streets.
Reply ID 4153
I remember Danny the tramp and Wally Temple. Also the bag lady, a rich lady who lost her mind when her husband died. She used to rumage through bins singing Jerusalum or opera. Has anyone noticed the man who rides a bike, works on the market stall opposite Greggs and sits outside Tesco's for what seems like all day! He accuses me of pinching the old wooden chairs that used to be there everytime he sees me. Harmless enough but I wish he could think of another conversation.
Reply ID 4171
I still see 'one can' in town. I knew him from another existence when all he ever bought in our off licence was one can. No one else would know who I'm talking about apart from Mrs Sloop of course who gave names to just about every customer. An old retail tradition that should never die. I was somewhat pleased to know that I was 'Mr Granary Loaf' at the Good Food Shop for many a year.
Reply ID 4238
quote:Hey didn't you used to own the newsagents on the Ware Rd? known to me, my bro and sis as 'the bottom shop'. If it is you then I went to school with your son Stuart as well.
Originally posted by sloopjohnb
I still see 'one can' in town. I knew him from another existence when all he ever bought in our off licence was one can. No one else would know who I'm talking about apart from Mrs Sloop of course who gave names to just about every customer. An old retail tradition that should never die. I was somewhat pleased to know that I was 'Mr Granary Loaf' at the Good Food Shop for many a year.
Reply ID 4284
What does it take to become a Hertford character? Reading some of these forum entries, there's some potential amongst paticipants here. I think Danny was a teacher before he hit the Hertford streets. Does Keith Marshall qualify. He's one of Hertford's main men. And most of the people who drink regularly in the White Horse are characters. I don't go in there that often these days but I can still spot faces from 15 or more years ago.
Reply ID 4351
What about "Basher" or "Biffer" as my other half insists on refering to him as! On crutches now I see but used to be quite "useful" (!!)in his younger days
Reply ID 4352
I remember Basher from his White Hart days in the 70s (not that I ever knew him). So sad to see how some people can completely waste their lives and degenerate in to what he appears to have become.
Reply ID 4473
Who was the guy, ginger hair, biker's jacket, lived up Sele Farm, nice guy, had a cat on his shoulder, was it Alex, but he was a heavy metal lover, wore glasses, but occasionally had to work !! and thereby ditched that gear for a nice pair of slacks??? Is the cat still alive..???
Reply ID 4489
One person that I completely overlooked is the grey haired older type lady that rides her bike very, very slowly around town through The Folly and up to Bengeo. So slow does she ride I often think about congratulating her on her sense of balance. As soon I think about it she dismounts and wheels it up any steep, or for that matter gentle incline. Believe she still cleans at Waitrose. Oh and Nicky. No, never ran a paper shop in Ware Road. I used to live in Buntingford before moving back down here.
Reply ID 4491
quote:Basher used to terrorise us in the Woolpack in the late 80's. Even to us then it was obvious what road he was likely to take.
Originally posted by Steve
I remember Basher from his White Hart days in the 70s (not that I ever knew him). So sad to see how some people can completely waste their lives and degenerate in to what he appears to have become.
Reply ID 4533
quote:Does she have an orange paper delivery bag? (See my earlier post in this thread)
Originally posted by sloopjohnb
One person that I completely overlooked is the grey haired older type lady that rides her bike very, very slowly around town through The Folly and up to Bengeo. So slow does she ride I often think about congratulating her on her sense of balance. As soon I think about it she dismounts and wheels it up any steep, or for that matter gentle incline. Believe she still cleans at Waitrose. Oh and Nicky. No, never ran a paper shop in Ware Road. I used to live in Buntingford before moving back down here.
Reply ID 4535
I remember the guy with the cat on his shoulder - used to hang around with Bob in the Barge
Reply ID 4554
quote:I think we have two different people here. My old lady hasn't been seen around for a little while owing so Mrs Sloop tells me, to a bout of shingles (got it in the eyes once - the worst pain I have ever endured!).
Does she have an orange paper delivery bag? (See my earlier post in this thread)
Reply ID 4910
Saw an old fella in the Salisbury last night who definitely qualifies. I've seen him around town for a long time. He's hard to describe but I think the best way to do so is....................think of John Mills' character in Ryans Daughter, Michael. Then put him in a suit and stick him in The Salisbury with a pint.
Reply ID 5182
nicky - is the old guy who drinks half a pint in each pub wilf he is deaf,totally lovley if you sit and talk to him he chatters away about alsorts but never hears a word in response. used to come in the sportsman and split his half with my little dog buster always tried to hide the fact he was doing it but with the amount of mirrors in there i always saw. miss him now ive left but not as much as buster does, wilfs face would light up every time he saw the dog [:)] mrs del
Reply ID 5208
quote:Hello Mrs Del, yes thats him I could not remember his name but you have jogged my memory. We went into the Salisbury to celebrate my Grandads 80th and my Grandad went over and chatted to him, I am sure he did call him Wilf. He seems to have a lot of war medals also, although he only wears them occasionally.
Originally posted by del
nicky - is the old guy who drinks half a pint in each pub wilf he is deaf,totally lovley if you sit and talk to him he chatters away about alsorts but never hears a word in response. used to come in the sportsman and split his half with my little dog buster always tried to hide the fact he was doing it but with the amount of mirrors in there i always saw. miss him now ive left but not as much as buster does, wilfs face would light up every time he saw the dog [:)] mrs del
Reply ID 5215
Perhaps Wilf is the same guy I mentioned in my last post - (Michael from Ryans Daughter)
Reply ID 5342
saw corky in sportmans and normally see him in the marquee, got chatting to him a few times he is a nice guy!![8D] i think half the people in hertford are individual! but thats the attraction of living here, you get to meet people with a large range of ideas on what life is about![:D] i know my other half stands out from the crowd although that could be because he is usually very very drunk,[8] or it could be he is stuck in a time warp [8] or is it just that he talks to everybody and will help anyone out!![:)] what ever it is i dont want him any other way[:I]
Reply ID 5345
Del(and Dawn) - one in a Million, check out Warhams Lane.... Get your furniture there.... No sales pitch - seen it Great Guy and is a STAR. Can I include Spitfire and Ben. You find out who the great and good are. (The other one did bit's) Corky in the 'SPORTS' ????????????????????????? Are you mad! Thank's Guy's - I don't think I'm that far off subject because I think you may realise what this place is about. Hertford is a great place full of good people.[:D][8D][:p][8)] [:p][:I] Tigger
Reply ID 5347
I think what my other half was trying to say (on message) was that we had a deal of Hertford charactors (Corky, Del, Ben from the White Horse)moving us last week from the goodness of ther hearts- its good to know who your friends are....... One more vote of course for a H.C. has to be Nigel, Landlord of the W Horse who I love dearly but has a manner that can be interesting (the comment "doesn't suffer fools gladly" could be written for him........ Mr Tigger Tigger
Reply ID 5363
tigger is that ben or benjimina??? [:D]
Reply ID 5368
benjimina!!!! Is there another? Maybe we should write a book on the Hertford Characters, one to rival the rest of the Hertford books. Since the dimise of the Sportsman I have bumped into a lot of one's I had forgotten![:)] Tigger
Reply ID 5376
corky in the sportsman !!!!!! has the world gone mad!!!
Reply ID 5378
Your right tsr, the real corky certainly would'nt be seen in the sportsman[:0]....must be a new kid on the block !!
Reply ID 5379
We bribed him with lots of Stella..... there is definatly only one Corky... (but admittedly mostly in the Horses /OXT/Marquee) Tigger