Posted: 25.07.19 at 10:07 by Joseph Bulmer



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Simon and his horse Eddie. Simon with his 'wagon'. Simon at work. A mermaid carved by Simon. Simon's camp near the Bowd Inn.

Traveller Simon Vaughan, currently camped out on the outskirts of Sidmouth, has spoken exclusively to Nub News about life on the road and what brought him to the area.

If you have driven past the Bowd Inn on the A3052 recently you have probably seen Simon, his horse Eddie and his ornate gypsy caravan parked up at the side of the road.

Simon, 51, originally from Bristol, worked for a scaffolding company before a change in circumstance in 2000 lead him to try out life on the road.

“I’m permanently on the move. I love my art and it’s a great way to support myself while I’m travelling,” said Simon.

“The area I cover is from Cornwall to East Sussex, all the way up to Oxford.

“I’ve been stopping in the Sidmouth area for a while but I haven’t been back for five or six years. I’ve got to know quite a few people in the area and they haven’t heard from me in a while so I thought I’d show up and let people know I’m still alive.”

Simon with his 'wagon'.

While Simon describes himself as a traveller he is keen to point out it is an adopted lifestyle and he is not an ethnic traveller.

Simon travels with his horse, a cob named Eddie, who he rescued from being put down.

“Eddie has been travelling with me for a while. Looking after Eddie is one of the hardest things I’ve done but also the most rewarding,” said Simon.

“It took us six days to walk here from Wareham in Dorset.”

Simon has been travelling for 17 years and he supplements his lifestyle by carving sculptures from wood which he then sells to passing motorists, in nearby towns and through his Facebook page.

Simon at work.

“It was a sudden change in circumstance that lead me to this lifestyle, I lost the roof over my head so I had to make a change. It made sense to move into a van and live where I work,” explained Simon.

“You don’t make as much money as you would with a regular job.”

It is clear Simon enjoys his lifestyle and his work but according to him life is not always easy on the road.

Simon said: “I love travelling, I love meeting new people and seeing new places. I love what I do, I’m passionate about art and really enjoy my job.

“Winters can be hard, it’s very different to the summer, it’s not the cold, it’s the rain that’s the problem. Sometimes living this life brings me into contact with people who aren’t so keen on my lifestyle.”

A mermaid carved by Simon.

Through his business, Carved Curiosities, Simon sculpts all sorts of wildlife and fantasy inspired artwork from wood. Simon said: “The best bit about my work is seeing the reactions from people who appreciate it and can see the hard work that has gone into each piece.

“It’s nice to know people like what you do. I can’t imagine getting a normal job now. My main aims going forward are to get rid of my van and buy another horse to pull the caravan.”

Sidmouth Nub News has contacted Devon County Council to find out more about the rules regarding traveller camps in the area.

If you would like to find out more about Simon’s work click the red button below for more information.

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