Market Dave makes welcomed return to Altrincham (From Messenger Newspapers)

Market Dave makes welcomed return to Altrincham

9:12am Thursday 19th August 2010 in News By Chris Griffin

ONE of Altrincham’s best-known characters – Market Dave – made a welcome return to the town this week as he continues his recovery from serious injuries.

Market Dave – real name Dave O’Kell – was welcomed by traders and shoppers as he visited Altrincham Market on Tuesday.

The visit came more than two years after the scrap collector was found unconscious with a head injury on Huxley Street, Broadheath, in April 2008.

It was suspected he had been attacked and robbed but Dave was unable to tell police what happened, and no-one was charged.

For the past 18 months he has been at a rehabilitation centre in Haydock. He is making progress but is unable to communicate.

The visit to the market – one of his favourite haunts – was intended to help his recovery by triggering his memories of the area and the people he knows. Staff from the rehabilitation unit and Dave’s brother Vincent and sister Valerie accompanied him on the trip.

They took photos as they pushed him around in a wheelchair, hoping the images would spark some recognition when he saw them later.

Market Dave is a familiar figure to generations of people – he was often seen pushing his handcart along the area’s roads and calling out to drivers and pedestrians.

Vincent said the family was touched by the warmth people felt for Dave: “I think it is wonderful people recognise David.

“He is like an icon of Altrincham, just like Bill Speakman (the Victoria Cross holder from the town).

“I feel so proud to have him as a brother. He has been wonderful all his life and has never done anyone any harm. People like and respect him, even though he has his problems.”

Vincent hopes one day his brother will be able to move back to his hometown.

He said: “He recognises a lot of people but can’t communicate. He breaks down when my sister, Valerie, and I leave him.

“He is making progress, but it is very slow. He has settled down a lot since he has been at Haydock, where the staff are excellent. It is a wonderful place. Hopefully, if the progress continues, he may be able to come home within 18 months.”