The Monk

Ever since I was a young lad playing football or whatever it was on the streets of Idle, Bradford, I can remember seeing this gentleman, if we saw him we would stop and stare in amazement. One of the lads would say 'It's that Jesus bloke!'

I'm not sure if he's a one man monastery or something. He looks like you'd imagine Jesus to have been, complete with a sort of sack cloth and leather sandals. Even today you see this chap walking the streets of West Yorkshire, and he never seems to get any older! It is always good to see him. Sometimes, when you're feeling a little down, or you're sat in a traffic jam, he appears and gives a cheerful wave and a hearty smile, it never fails to lift up your spirits.

Earlier this year I saw him walking in Shipley, I had my camera with me and so I approached him and asked if I could take a few shots of him, he was puzzled by my request, 'Whatever for' he asked, I replied that I wanted the photographs for posterity, and he gladly agreed. I'm not sure what his thoughts would be if he knew he was now in Cyberspace! I've heard many tales about him, including the one about him living in a cave at some time on Ilkley Moor.

Remember the old saying...'There's nowt so queer as folk'

Still, it beats a 9 to 5 job!