John Treagood Comes to Mid Devon

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.

Видео John Treagood Comes to Mid Devon канала Lewis Clarke