A Bristol Legend
There was a great chap, now sadly departed. Anyone from Bristol will no doubt know of him.
His name was Colin and he had a difficult childhood and never really managed to fit into mainstream society.
He was heavily involved with Socialist politics and campaigned all his short life to try and make a change, even ending up with an obit in Socialist Worker, when he died at the young age of 53. But away from all that political bollocks, most people knew him as an obvious stand out character at Bristol Community festival up at Ashton Court.
He would be there, every year, a flagon of cheap cider in hand, a big pair of boots, and a leather thong....nothing else, but a leather waistcoat if it was bloody freezing.
He is forever known round these parts as leather thong man. He wasn't the fittest of men, so It was a sight to behold. Swinging his thong to whatever music was being played in front of him with a big grin on his face, no matter who was there, and he just didn't give a fuck.
Bristol remembers him, and just this last weekend as Brisfest returned to Ashton Court, we raised our cans of cheap cider to a legend.
I tried to find pics of him, but typing 'leather thong man' into google wasn't the best idea I have ever had.
( Herb Alpert's Taxi Driver I have very beautiful lips, Thu 27 Sep 2012, 23:26, 3 replies)

You managed to get cider?
The booze queues were insane, I left in a huff at 9ish.
( Ungersven would support SpankyHanky's patreon, Fri 28 Sep 2012, 13:20, closed)

It really was ridiculous
Got served twice early on then someone gave me a couple of cans! Hurrah!
Enjoyed it though. Next year should be better.
( Herb Alpert's Taxi Driver I have very beautiful lips, Fri 28 Sep 2012, 16:29, closed)

I remember him
Knew nothing about him at all, but he was a common sight around Bristol as you describe. I used to enjoy watching the looks on people's faces as they clocked him striding through the fields at Ashton Court. That thong was a thing of wonder and horror. He also had a massive brown afro didn't he. Truly a man who simply couldn't give a shit.

Pleased to hear about his political activities, good for him for that. Many of us (myself included) don't make even half the effort he clearly did.

Sad to hear of his passing. [In 2008 ianbone.wordpress.com/2008/04/09/leather-thong-man-rip/] Legend, indeed.

Now does anyone know what's happened to the man in a monk's habit who used to stride around Broadmead? Oh, it wasn't the monk's habit alone that made him stand out. It was his huge shock of electric blue hair.
(Dr Skagra glorious glargzhem, Sun 30 Sep 2012, 17:50, closed)