Tramps & Vagrants

[Bob Dobson]

A mate has suggested that ( 1950s) there was a smelly , homeless character in Accrington called 'Itchycoo'. He used tio frequent the Commercial , or at least hang around there before being buggered off by the long-serving landlord, whose name I have forgotten. I think he has got the name wrong, and I think the man would be 'Tommy Ent ' ( Entwistle probably), who slept most nights in the brickworks kilns. I recall hearing of a chap in Blackburn being called Itchycoo.

There must have been others. The men who walked from town to town used to give their address as Police Street, Darwen (c1960) This was a common lodging house.Accrington's had gone by this time.

I was told that Tommy Ent had been married with a family, but had left home to live on the streets. I recall that he was a mild-mannered bloke, except when he was affected by drink, made worse because he had eaten very little.

[Retlaw]

Originally Posted by Bob Dobson

A mate has suggested that ( 1950s) there was a smelly , homeless character in Accrington called 'Itchycoo'. He used tio frequent the Commercial , or at least hang around there before being buggered off by the long-serving landlord, whose name I have forgotten. I think he has got the name wrong, and I think the man would be 'Tommy Ent ' ( Entwistle probably), who slept most nights in the brickworks kilns. I recall hearing of a chap in Blackburn being called Itchycoo.

There must have been others. The men who walked from town to town used to give their address as Police Street, Darwen (c1960) This was a common lodging house.Accrington's had gone by this time.

I was told that Tommy Ent had been married with a family, but had left home to live on the streets. I recall that he was a mild-mannered bloke, except when he was affected by drink, made worse because he had eaten very little.

At it again Dobo
I've found the picture of your look-a-like.
He came back from the war. His wife had been playing around. She tried to sue him for maintainance. He just up an said if I've nowt thad ged nowt, and went living rough. whch would be nothing compared to what he went thro during the first world war.

Retlaw

[MargaretR]

When Melbourne House opened in 1965, The National Assistance Board and The Ministry of Pensions & National Insurance came together there.
Even though they were still separate depts then, staff had more contact with each other and exchanged anecdotes.
I recall the N A B staff mentioning the men who spent nights at the brickyard, so there was more than just the one man you mention, and it was happening later than the 50s. They collected 'assistance money' for food only, daily

When I was promoted in 1971 the 2 depts had merged and I was assigned duties at Blackburn in the type of work previously done by the National Assistance Board.
I visited/interviewed itinerants at the Police St hostel on a few occasions.

I do not remember the names of any of them - it was an unpleasant aspect of the job which was best forgotten

[Bob Dobson]

The photo of Piggy - I think he was 'wandering abroad' before Tommy Ent. I do not remember him from the 50s though I do remember Tommy. Margaret is probably right - there would be several men in this situation. Some of these probably gave their address as 'Moorlands' which was the name for the workhouse near Rawtenstall. It became a hospital.

[MargaretR]

Originally Posted by Bob Dobson

The photo of Piggy - I think he was 'wandering abroad' before Tommy Ent. I do not remember him from the 50s though I do remember Tommy. Margaret is probably right - there would be several men in this situation. Some of these probably gave their address as 'Moorlands' which was the name for the workhouse near Rawtenstall. It became a hospital.

They didn't need any address to get daily money for food.
Office jargon named them 'NFA' = no fixed abode

[Bob Dobson]

An old Blackburn bobby has told me that Itchycoo was a Blackburn chap whose true name was Thomas William Harrison. He frequented the brickyard in Grimshaw Park area as well as Police st Darwen.
There was a famous song in the 70s about Itchycoo Park.

[MargaretR]

Originally Posted by Bob Dobson

An old Blackburn bobby has told me that Itchycoo was a Blackburn chap whose true name was Thomas William Harrison. He frequented the brickyard in Grimshaw Park area as well as Police st Darwen.
There was a famous song in the 70s about Itchycoo Park.

I have just looked at the lyrics - appears no connection with this man

[Bob Dobson]

M I didn't say there was - just that the name cropped up. I suspect that there would be many tramps with this name all over the country.

[cashman]

remember tommy ent, was also a guy known as "Owd Henry" used to kip in readers rag shop up the raggy back off melbourne st, he always used to sit on the front row of the "Bug Hut" Kings Hall cinema n shoot all the germans. i would be about 6/7 then.