Always on his own

He was very well-known in Wigan. You could see him in the town walking about carrying with him a briefcase. I think he had the nickname 'Skippy'. He was dark-skinned ...dressed in scruffy clothes ....with grey hair and a grey beard. The rumour was that he was a doctor. He was a kind-looking person who I am certain would never harm a soul. Anybody know what happened to him ?

"If it is the same one, and I think it is. I know a gang of lads beat him up very badly one night. He died shortly afterwards. It was a shame really he never did anyone any harm."

From here

Tragic. He was such a harmless soul.

My Grandson told me tha t PURPLE ACKY is about again

Who remembers the old guy who used to stop dead and point his walking stick up in the air and used to get a crowd looking up at the sky then he'd walk off.