Joyce was a legend and real Oxford character.
I first became aware of him in the late 1960s, or early 1970s, as a youngster coming into Oxford for OUFC matches, shopping, and nights out. He was a middle aged man, who worked as a bus conductor, and in the evenings ran a hotdog van, which I seem to remember was one of the fleet called Fritzi's. They were weird vans, a converted mini van with a high roof, a bit like the Popemobile of the time. But you couldn't miss Joyce!
All of the old ladies knew him and he spoke to them on the buses, and also when he was out and about in Oxford. But behind this facade he was a bit of a hard man, and often got into fights! I still remember one day he was strutting down Queen Street (very apt!!!) in stilettos and hot pants and chuntering away to anybody who would listen. Joyce was a fairly heavy set middle aged bloke and did not make a very convincing "woman" and 55 years ago he was quite a sight.
Anyway, it turns out he'd had a fight, and a little old lady asked him if he was alright "Ooh, I scratched his eyes out" says Joyce in his camp Dick Emery/Kenny Everett voice. "But I think I've lost a nail" he said loudly with a flourish, before high kicking and flouncing off into the distance, with some of the little old ladies applauding him.
You had to be there...............
