Brother on a Bus: John Green’s (T 58) UK Circumnavigation by Bus

At 85 years young, John Green (T 58) will soon be setting off an extraordinary eight-week journey around the British Isles using nothing but public buses and donated accommodation, to support The Hospital of St Cross & Almshouse of Noble Poverty.

Launching on May 1st 2025, John will travel around the British Isles using his bus pass. Along the way, he will be staying at other almshouses and in donated accommodation, staying with everyone from everyone from mayors to bishops. During his journey, he will be interviewing fellow travellers, highlighting sites of historic interest and blogging weekly reflections during his Sunday rest stops.

On his journey, John says:

“I am the oldest of three extant generations of OWs – my brother Edward (T 62) and I, my nephew, Toby, (A 88) and my son Charlie (T 82, Head of School), and Charlie’s three children, Anna (O 13), William (T 15) and Sasha (O 19).   Nowadays, I am a Brother of The Hospital of St. Cross, Winchester, which the nation’s oldest alms-house in continuous use since 1132.

The Hospital was largely rebuilt in the 1450’s, along with its 12th Century Chapel, which Pevsner called a “miniature cathedral”. The Hospital features Tudor buildings and stunning gardens; it is a delight to visit, let alone in which to live. In advance of our forthcoming 900th Anniversary and to publicise The Hospital, whilst raising funds towards the many conservation projects required (including the Chapel roof and lighting), I am undertaking a ‘circumnavigation’ of the UK mainland. In England, I will be using my bus pass, and I will be travelling with the support of bus operators in Scotland and Wales.”

John’s 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.

John is currently looking for accommodation along his route in Bridlington, Newcastle, Inverness, Glasgow, Chester, Bangor, Cardigan, Cardiff, Launceston and Redruth. If you are living in the area and could have John to stay, please email us at community@wellingtoncollege.org.uk

To follow John’s journey, the Brother on a Bus page will be added to The Hospital’s website before he leaves: www.hospitalofstcross.co.uk. The page will be regularly updated with reports of  his progress. To find out more and to support John on his journey, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/brotheronabus.