Hi Angela This made fascinating reading - thank you. I must show my father in law. He was always intrigued by him and as a child he says he often remembers seeing Theodore on Fish Hill, Broadway dressed in his sacks. Karen Hunt ----- Original Message ----- From: "Angela Allen" <angela.allen72@btinternet.com> To: <ENG-BANBURY-AREA-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2005 9:26 PM Subject: [BAN] Theodore Lamb 1880 - 1950 > Hi All, > Theodore Lamb, along with 'Old Mettle' - (William Castle) & > 'The Banbury Pedestrian' (Thomas Colley) is remembered locally > as being a colourful eccentric character --- although by most > accounts none of them were idiots! > > Theodore Lamb, opted for his way of life after being jilted at the > alter, so the story goes - Known in town as the 'Banbury Caveman'. > He lived in a battered old hen-house off the Brailes road - although > he did move 'premises' at times to other farm buildings around the > outskirts of local villages. > > He wore tattered sacks, plastered his long hair with mud, & rubbed > lard into his skin to hold back the ever present cold. > He was often seen riding into/around town on his bicycle -- without > any tyres, pulling a trolley of pots & pans behind him > Theodore would busk in the Market Place, playing the melodeon & > tin whistle. > > He also made money from visitors to the town. Stories would go back > each year to outlying villages, from folks that had attended the market > or fair in town - tales & descriptions of a man many would not believe, > unless seen with their own eyes - He became a 'tourist attraction'. > > Theodore used this to his advantage :>) > He would speak to you for one shilling & pose for a picture for half- > crown! > He also earnt money repairing watches & clocks. > It's said men going away to war in 1914 left their watches with him for safe > keeping. > > Eventually the police banned Theodore from the town centre because of > his state of dress. > He died of pneumonia in 1950 at the age of 70, still living in his hen house. > > Theodore was the son of Joseph & Mary LAMB of Sibford. > > Angela:>) > co admin Banbury > > > > > ============================== > Find your ancestors in the Birth, Marriage and Death Records. > New content added every business day. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13964/rd.ashx > > > > -- > Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. > Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. > Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 265.6.12 - Release Date: 14/01/2005 > > -- Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 265.6.12 - Release Date: 14/01/2005