News

Late vendor Fabian Bayet has been honoured with a sketch on his pitch

The popular Stony Stratford seller, known as ‘Belgium the Waffle’, died in July

Fabian Bayet Stony Stratford

Much-loved Big Issue vendor Fabian Bayet has been remembered in the town where he sold the magazine for 25 years – with a plaque and a joke book.

Belgium-born Fabian, known as Belgium the Waffle for his chatty demeanour, had become of fixture of Stony Stratford High Street before he died in July aged 48.

But his contribution to the local community has not been forgotten and campaigners from local homelessness charity The Bus Shelter MK have installed a framed sketch of Fabian on the high street to pay tribute.

Fabian Bayet Luke McDonnell
Fabian-Bayet-sketch-Stony-Stratford
Luke McDonnell's drawing of Fabian and his pet dog Whippet is now a permanent fixture of Stony Stratford High Street

The touching drawing was unveiled on Saturday alongside the launch of a joke book that has been dedicated to Fabian.

“Fabian was very loved, said Lisa McDonnell, a Bus Shelter MK volunteer. “Stony Stratford is a town that has a real connection with Fabian – that connection is so strong that it felt very fitting that we dedicate the book to him.

“It is a fabulous way to show how loved he was and how much people took him to their hearts. He became a great personal friend of mine.”

‘It’s No Joke’ features jokes from homeless people that The Bus Shelter MK works with – all profits from the sale of the book will go back to the charity.

Cover star Tony’s wit sparked the unusual fundraising idea, according to Lisa, and the book is available online as well as in two high-street stores in Stony Stratford and the information desk at intu Milton Keynes shopping centre.

Lisa McDonnell, a volunteer at The Bus Shelter MK, said: “The book was inspired by a 72-year-old man called Tony who has been rough sleeping for two years. We are in the process of moving him into somewhere permanent and during this whole process I was struck that he was still able to smile and tell jokes.

“So I told him, “Tony I’m going to make you famous”. So now months later everyone has got behind this book and it was very popular on Saturday when we raised more than £1,000 for The Bus Shelter MK.”

Tony It's No Joke
Tony-its-No-Joke-Milton-Keynes
Cover star Tony's jokes inspired the book

Martin Petchey, the Mayor of Milton Keynes, has also added his backing to the project.

“I selected The Bus Shelter MK to be my charity of the year because I was impressed that a small group of Milton Keynes citizens decided to do something innovative to help people experiencing homelessness,” he said. “I have seen first-hand that this local charity is really making a difference with the shelter and support they provide to get people back on their feet.”

Images: Bob MacDonald/Luke McDonnell

Support the Big Issue

For over 30 years, the Big Issue has been committed to ending poverty in the UK. In 2024, our work is needed more than ever. Find out how you can support the Big Issue today.
Vendor martin Hawes

Recommended for you

View all
I started doing crime by age 6. I didn't know any other life – all my birthdays were in prison
Crime

I started doing crime by age 6. I didn't know any other life – all my birthdays were in prison

Local housing allowance is finally going up. But is it anything more than just a short-term fix?
Jeremy Hunt announced local housing allowance rise
Benefits

Local housing allowance is finally going up. But is it anything more than just a short-term fix?

Calls to nationalise Thames Water as Brits face 40% increase in bills: 'A con and a disgrace'
Water bills

Calls to nationalise Thames Water as Brits face 40% increase in bills: 'A con and a disgrace'

Will free school meals and vouchers be offered over the Easter holidays?
Free school meals/ Easter holidays
Free school meals

Will free school meals and vouchers be offered over the Easter holidays?

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Here's when UK households to start receiving last cost of living payments
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Here's when UK households to start receiving last cost of living payments

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know