John Treagood Comes to Mid Devon
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- Опубликовано: 10 авг 2015
- JOHN Treagood has made his first trip to Mid Devon following an online campaign to get him a new horse following the death of his previous one Gildor.
John’s new Shire horse, Misty, was purchased by donations from across the globe and given to the 79-year-old in March.
The campaign was so successful; it even enabled supporters to purchase a new trailer.
Because of the campaign, John was taken into the hearts of people across the planet, and he now says that he regularly gets over 20 visitors a day.
“I’ve had people coming and saying it’s nice to see me on the road again.
“I thought that was unusual for motorists, they usual want me off it I think. I slow them down a bit.
“I’ve been told I’m a tourist attraction. I can’t see tourists coming all the way just to see me. I can think of prettier looking things to look at.”
Despite the appreciation, John says that visitors can sometimes get in the way of his reading.
“It can be a bit of a bug bear at times because I like reading books and I can read a book all day but not lately because every time I get into a book a get a visitor.”
Thankfully, The Gazette timed our visit to coincide with a time when we weren’t disturbing him!
The new found fame has also meant that at times John gets his fair share of abusive comments.
“I don’t mind a bit of a abuse such as those who shout out ‘get a job you lazy bastard’ which is a favourite one because if they think I’m young enough to get a job that’s a compliment and if they call me a bastard that’s a compliment because I am - I can prove it by birth so it doesn’t bother me.”
As well as Misty, John is joined on his travels by Whisky, a 10 year old dog, a stray which he picked up from Morrisons in Tiverton, and a three year old Staffordshire bull terrier, Hale, who he got from a friend in Willand.
The story of Mr Treagood, who was born in Kent, could easily be turned into a Hollywood film. Raised by his grandfather, he never knew his mother, and at the age of 16 he ran away.
After being blinded in one eye while serving in the army for six years, John used the money he received to get a BA in medieval history and a PhD in environmental studies. He then became a freelance lecturer.
But one day, unbeknown to even John himself, he decided to pack his backpack and go for a walk. And he hasn’t looked back.
John doesn’t have a pension but instead earns his money from odd jobs such as tree pruning and gardening.
John plans to be in the Mid Devon area for at least a fortnight and will be moving around Willand, Uffculme and Tiverton.
Rest in Peace John you are going to be sadly missed , and i can safely say you were classed as one of us you brightened up so many peoples day by living your life the way you wanted .
Not so long ago, we all lived a similar life as John. Its shows today, how in such a short period of time, how the masses have been brainwashed in to thinking that living free, and without debt, or a job for a big corporation, is somehow belittling, when in fact, it should be commended. I for one hate the way society is today, with its cheap tat, greedy, and very shallow, people, and I long for the days of the bygone era, when life was much slower, stress was just a word and people actually had time for each other.
I remember John from 25 yrs back when he would be selling the "BigIssue" magazine on Exeter high Street , he would travel with a handcart back then, or sometimes just a rucksack and build himself a little bender-tent with a cooking fire in the bushes along the river somewhere , and he had a VERY snappy wee terrier, who he adored , as she was very handy for keeping nosy people away, and charming ol' biddies into buying a magazine ! Haha! I was VERY happy to see him on youtube - living his dream ! Relaxing infront of his wagon with a cuppa - smiling too much to be cantankerous ! Bless you John
Very nice interview he seems happy and settled within himself. I see he has moved onto the other side.
I am 73 and love getting out of the sticks and bricks and onto the road. It's my best happiest time just
roving and waking up one day by mountains and another day by lakes or desert etc. I love my space
in the van which is decorated like a vardo. Comfy and cozy. Then again I have always been a wandering
person it's in my nature.
Those who call him lazy ate jealous of the fact that John has no dept..no stress of going to work at jobs they hate. I lived on the road for some time..freedom comes to mind, then I settled down and had a family..the times I would look back on those days. All I had on the road was eat, a place to sleep at night and keeping clean. What a difference. So I know how John feels.
fantastic man what a inspiration your living the life many of us only dream of all the best john
The reporter is on about retirement etc but he has to remember it’s not a hobby or a job it’s his way of life just like those who live in houses, you don’t retire from your house so how can he retire from his. He can’t and good on him because if he’s happy then that’s the main thing isn’t it. I once bumped into him and had a really good conversation with him, he is an amazing character, I ended up leaving him then returning in the evening with some milk and groceries and some hay for the horse he had at the time and he invited me to stay for a bit and we ended up sat round the campfire and just put the world to rights. Amazing interesting guy and I could have spoken to him forever, the thing that made me smile was the fact he was more happy to have some hay for his horse than the food for him. 🙏🐴⛺️🔥🪵
nice to see him cleaned up a bit.....god bless john treagood
Thanks who ever helped him with the horse and caravan 💪👍😘 i feel happer that he had some comfort's.
THIS IS CULTURAL DIVERSITY TO US BRITISH PEOPLE 😵🆘
🎬😳🗣️📢 BE happy with nothing 😢🤔💔
GOD bless his SOUL 🙏😇💯🤑🎭
lol what a Cheer he nows how to live in the NOW its all we have is the moment god bless you John .
John everyone knows & respects you gives you food water hay you've been treated with respect & you love talking to the regulars hope your ok bless you
Lovely ♥️
Realist , individual there's a word to make people shudder , individual . Man at peace with himself . The gentleman of the road is a fast fading character pushed to the side by grubby grabbers poncing off the state , a real traveller lives from the land , it's our land , he can live from it . The hyacinth bouquets can do one .
Great guy
What a character 👍
I remember when he used to sell the big issue outside Tesco's in Exeter about twenty years ago,he was an antisocial git even then-perfect horsedrawn material!good luck to you john.
He's got a nice Stafford dog
Look how young he was here. 😔
Gorgeous horse
John roundabout fucking legend Alex kelbrick aka Darren burrrows peace LOVE uniityx😎
Were do he get his money from I wonder?
He is retired so gets a pension. He is in his 80's. He also served in the military for 6 years so most prob also gets a little from an army pension.
Pauls Vids he doesn't take a penny from the state
Silly question but where would he wash & get food & water etc...
He always has a strip wash twice a year whether he needs it or not !.
River, stream public toilets food from us roma when we saw him didn't matter he was a gorger he was a friend
Ask him about the people who skippered with him before he had any horse, they'l tell you all about him
Gorja
And?
Seems like more of an actual Traveller than anything you'll ever be.
@@emilychb6621 look miss I am roma and John was a friend please don't shame his name with anger