Tony Flynn, M&S Barnstaple, and South Molton Pannier Market

Photo: Exposure Photo Agency

When I was young, I fished a lot. One day I took my mum fishing with me in South Africa. I baited up for her and cast her line. As her cast hit the water, it hit a big fish and I had to talk her through it. It must have been about 15kg. I did the same again. I couldn’t even get my rod ready and hers hit another fish. It must have taken 15 minutes to get in. I did the same again, and it was another fish. She must have caught 40kg of fish. She never forgot that day, and neither have I.

There’s a big estuary in Barnstaple, where I sell the magazine. One customer had a boat in their garage they hadn’t used for years, so they gave it to me for a small amount of money. It’s a 14ft, two-man rowing boat. It’s got a mast but they haven’t put it on. I got an engine from a fishmonger at a reasonable price. 

I want to start fishing on the boat, but I’m waiting for someone to show me the ropes. When you’re out on the water, you come back with pictures you can show the customers. It gives you something to talk about.

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I had a steady job as a photocopier engineer until 2016, but then I had mental health issues. Things can fall apart quickly. The company didn’t want to know, and I didn’t have any savings, so I ended up on the streets. It’s a struggle to get out of. 

I was homeless in London, then Bournemouth, then Exeter. While I was in a hostel in Exeter, I met someone who was selling the Big Issue. I signed up and my situation began to stabilise. I got a flat, which I still live in now.

I wasn’t ready for full-time employment, and when you’re selling the magazine you can step away for a bit if things get a bit much. You’ve got to establish your customers, and get a rapport going. People bring fridge magnets from Tenerife, or a hat from Mexico. They’re thinking of you when they’re abroad. They don’t just want to know about you – listen to what they say. And then you mention what they’ve discussed, and they appreciate it. Show an interest – it’s not just about selling the magazine.

As well as selling the magazine, I’m a coordinator for the Big Issue. I go to Exeter and back every week to pick up magazines for the other vendors in my part of Devon. It’s a good product otherwise I would have left. It’s a good read, and the extra money helps, as my pension isn’t that great.

I had a dog called Toby, he’s passed on now. When I started my pitch this lady came and chatted with me, then started taking the dog for walks, and bringing tea in flasks. We got together over the last couple of years, and she’s my partner now. But it did take a while. We like doing nice long walks to get our heads clear, and we watch too much tennis. She’s got a love-hate relationship with Djokovic.

I’ve had to dip into my savings to get my teeth sorted. People can’t afford expensive dentistry. I just gave up looking for an NHS dentist – it’s really bad. Something needs to be looked into, because there’s thousands of people.

When I came out of the army and the fire service, I met a guy fixing photocopiers. Every pub I went to in Durban I seemed to bump into him, and he eventually took me to his workshop. I started helping him in his workshop, and I ran with it. 

Grab something and run with it. If you enjoy it, don’t give it up. I learned a lot in office equipment. Photocopiers, phones, fax machines; you name it, I can fix it. 

Interview: Greg Barradale

Marks and Spencer, High Street, Barnstaple, UK