Fred.

Wolverhampton will never be quite the same now that "Fred" - an eccentric tramp who lived in a tent on one of the big traffic islands on the town's ring-road - has died. He's been there for years, and always kept his patch spic and span, and could often be seen sweeping up. The local social services kept an eye on him, provided him with meals on wheels and even replaced his old home-made tent with a proper one. And the Council have said that they will make the necessary funeral arrangements if, as seems likely, no relatives can be found. How unusual is that these days, when those in authority so often use their powers pettily and restrictively. Wolverhampton can be really, really proud of the way it treated Fred - good on yer!