News / Amanda Ramsay
Fears for homeless man camping in Bedminster
Fears for the safety of a homeless man camping in Bedminster have been raised after he was overheard telling people his tent and all his possessions had caught fire.
The story of Will Mathieson, 63, was highlighted last month when it was revealed he had set up home on a small piece of land known as North Street Green with his pet dog Ally.
Will is originally from Glasgow and became homeless about four months ago.
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He told the Bristol Post he had been struggling to survive and was starting to reach the end of his tether.
But last night Amanda Ramsay, the former Labour Party candidate in Bristol South, contacted Bristol24/7 to say she had seen Mathieson while she was in a shop on North Street, and he said his tent had burned down and he’d lost the possessions that were inside.
She said she saw him walk away with a suitcase and his pet dog still by his side.
“He came into the shop, clearly distressed,” she said. “I was expressing concern and wanted to ask if he had a hostel to stay in, for it was already dark and cold by this time last night, but he walked out mid conversation.
“By the time I got outside onto North Street, I could see him in the distance with a suitcase on wheels and his dog.
“If the fire story is true, it is very worrying, either as an accident or arson.
“I’ve been in contact with the mayor [George Ferguson] and Cllr Mark Bradshaw about housing this fellow, weeks back, and the mayor said the council had been trying to help accommodate him.”
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