
Week 6
From Cardiff to Cornwall, fuelled by tea, sausage rolls and so many small acts of kindness to touch his heart.
At 85 years young, the indomitable Brother John Green is setting off on an extraordinary adventure—an eight-week journey around the British Isles using nothing but public buses. Launching on May 1st, 2025, Brother Green’s “Brother on a Bus” tour isn’t just about the miles he’ll cover. It’s a heartfelt mission to raise funds for our charity, share the story of our historic Hospital, and build excitement for our 900th anniversary in 2032.
A beloved resident Brother, known for his bookbinding skills, volunteer work, and boundless energy, Brother Green will be interviewing fellow travellers, highlighting sites of historic interest, and blogging weekly reflections from his Sunday rest stops. His efforts have already caught the attention of The King—who, as President of the Almshouse Association, has offered his good wishes—as well as the Bishop of Winchester and HM Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire. With support at the highest levels and Stagecoach onboard for PR, Brother Green’s journey promises to be a national celebration of heritage, community, and good old-fashioned British grit.
Want to keep tabs on John’s progress? See his weekly blog and day to day photo galleries below!
Please support Brother Green on his journey and help preserve the stunning setting and charitable work of the hospital for generations to come. If you can’t donate online, you have the option to send in a cheque made payable to ‘The Hospital of St Cross’ to the Hospital address.
For more information on Almshouses and the Almshouse Association please visit:
"The idea is: we've had difficulty finding people to come here. So, I thought I'd raise a bit of publicity for people about the Hospital, and then they'd have a chance to come here....! It's a wonderful place!"
Brother John Green
Please note that whilst the free bus pass typically only works in England, Brother John has received special dispensation from the many kind coach operators on his route in Wales and Scotland to travel for free in those countries also. Anyone attempting a similar fundraising journey would need to seek the same permissions.
From Cardiff to Cornwall, fuelled by tea, sausage rolls and so many small acts of kindness to touch his heart.
Find out what Brother John’s been up to this week, as he explores stunning Wales and is welcomed everywhere he goes.
From Glasgow to Chester, then home briefly for a very special occasion. Discover all the drama of Brother John’s fourth week on the road.
Find out what Brother John’s been up to this week, charmed by sensational Scotland, looked after by lovely bus drivers and trips down memory lane.
Find out what Brother John’s been up to this week, with huge distances travelled, new friends made and a few tricky challenges to bravely navigate.
Find out what Brother John got up to after his fond farewells in Winchester, with updates from Brighton, Canterbury, Chelmsford and more.
For more on Brother John’s journey plus a complete list of media appearances, please visit the Brother on a Bus page at:
James Freeman: Retired bus company director and now a part-time bus driver for Stagecoach in Winchester and vintage bus enthusiast, for his unstinting organisational support to Brother John throughout this trip. James checked, amended and supervised all the timings, as well as lobbying and negotiating with all the bus companies to be on board with John’s circumnavigation, be it in England, or in both Scotland and Wales (in each of which all the operators agreed to fund free travel for John). Without James, who pulled in lots of favours from his lifetime in the British bus industry, this would have been quite a lot more difficult.
Gerry Harmon: PR Director of the Almshouse Association, who has carried the main point of contact for the support group set up for John for his journey, including working very hard to fill gaps in his accommodation schedule. Organised interviews with the press, set up a lively, current and relevant page on the Almshouse Association website, as well as offering John vital accommodation support throughout parts of his journey.
Simon Jenkins: England’s Thousand Best Churches
The Hospital of St Cross
St Cross Road
Winchester
SO23 9SD
01962 878218
clerk@hospitalofstcross.co.uk
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