[Archived] One man and his cart.

[deryck guyler's spoon]

I remember a black bloke who used to wear a yellow construction helmet and push a cart round Blackburn Town Centre in the 80's. He became quite the celebrity and when his old cart got past it's best he had one provided and sponsored by a local hardware company. Then he just seemed to dissapear. I think he was from Zimbabwe or some other African nation and seem to recall someone saying he had once been a doctor.

Does anybody remember his name or what happened to him? ....................or am I going nuts?

[brian_gallagher85]

I think you'll find he is now our first choice striker...

[Mattyblue]

I remember a black bloke who used to wear a yellow construction helmet and push a cart round Blackburn Town Centre in the 80's. He became quite the celebrity and when his old cart got past it's best he had one provided and sponsored by a local hardware company. Then he just seemed to dissapear. I think he was from Zimbabwe or some other African nation and seem to recall someone saying he had once been a doctor.

Does anybody remember his name or what happened to him? ....................or am I going nuts?

I'm sure I remember a similar kind of guy, did he collect scrap metal from local firms?

[thenodrog]

The 80's version of Val de Ree!

Big black fella with a cart and a huge smile. He was all over Blackburn a few years ago as you say. He then disappeared until about 12 months ago when I saw him again outside Oval World in Little Harwood. Never seen him since.

[Mattyblue]

Just asked a pal, he recalls the same guy as me- 'Tom's Truck'. We used to see him after school around Daislyfield

[Friarsnig]

Tom's Truck it was, a right cheerful bloke who always waved at you with a big grin. I used to see him a lot round town.

[cletus]

I think you'll find he is now our first choice striker...

Nah, the guy with the cart could turn a lot quicker

[deryck guyler's spoon]

I think you'll find he is now our first choice striker...

Yeah 'Tom's Truck'! I used to see him when I was going into the Adelphi. He used to greet the beery cheers/jeers of friday night revellers with a smile and a wave. He seemed a happy, cheerful chap if a bit "special".

I thought about him as I was reading about some Blackburn characters from days of yore. One, from the turn of the 20th century, was called 'Owd Chipper and he also had a cart. He pushed it around Whalley Range (dont! ) and it contained a miniture battle ground on which he would re-enact famous conflicts from the Napoleonic wars for the entertainment of local kids . I suppose this was a forerunner of 'Michael Bentine's Potty Time' These days he would be regarded as a nutjob and hounded by chavs waving "Peodo" banners.

Anyway it would be nice if Tom and his truck could be regarded as an eccentric Blackburn character in years to come.

[Mattyblue]

How about that bloke that goes backwards on his wheelchair around Blackburn and Darwen? He's rapid!

Sure I saw him with a motorised one the other week.

[koi]

Does anyone remember the Michael Jackson impersonator who used to frequent round-abouts

[Tom]

I always tend to see this guy around:

Also see the guy who goes backwards in his wheelchair a lot

[Stuart]

Yeah 'Tom's Truck'! I used to see him when I was going into the Adelphi. He used to greet the beery cheers/jeers of friday night revellers with a smile and a wave. He seemed a happy, cheerful chap if a bit "special".

I thought about him as I was reading about some Blackburn characters from days of yore. One, from the turn of the 20th century, was called 'Owd Chipper and he also had a cart. He pushed it around Whalley Range (dont! ) and it contained a miniture battle ground on which he would re-enact famous conflicts from the Napoleonic wars for the entertainment of local kids . I suppose this was a forerunner of 'Michael Bentine's Potty Time' These days he would be regarded as a nutjob and hounded by chavs waving "Peodo" banners.

Anyway it would be nice if Tom and his truck could be regarded as an eccentric Blackburn character in years to come.

How old are you??

[deryck guyler's spoon]

How old are you??

44

[MarkBRFC71]

I always tend to see this guy around:

Also see the guy who goes backwards in his wheelchair a lot

Which one is you TCO?

[Tom]

I wish I looked that cool in shades!

[Mattyblue]

Isn't that the fella that can recite pi to about 800 places? (to be fair he could just be saying random numbers!)

[Tom]

Not sure Matty I think they may just look the same, the Pi guy worked at St Marys college when I was there but I don't think it's the same guy as the photo.

[SAS]

How about that bloke that goes backwards on his wheelchair around Blackburn and Darwen? He's rapid!

Sure I saw him with a motorised one the other week.

Johnny go go, used to live near me.

What about jim reeves the fat guy in a wheelchair who is disgusting, or how about the guy in town always in a suit and ###### up. Can't remember his name.

[adopted scouser]

[Amo]

I always tend to see this guy around:

Thenodrog?

[deryck guyler's spoon]

Thenodrog?

[Majiball]

I wish I looked that cool in shades!

Does that mean your the one one the left then?

[Mattyblue]

Not sure Matty I think they may just look the same, the Pi guy worked at St Marys college when I was there but I don't think it's the same guy as the photo.

I went St Mary's myself, he used to get dogs abuse (as did the pre op transexual teacher)

[thenodrog]

Thenodrog?

Very good. ... I'm a bit busy at the moment but I'll have a good laugh about that later when I've a bit more time Topman.

I do so miss the humour of the playground.

[Amo]

Hey, the pic has Gordon in the title. I took an educated guess!