Sillybilly was initially captured from the wild in 1984. Having been tamed and rehabilitated he was allowed in 1994 to be a participant in a ground breaking new community day release scheme.

His initial release period proved very difficult, it is hard to believe that out-dated stereotypical views about facial hair still prevail in today’s Britain. During this time the continual harassment he received from small children frequenting his local Spar grocery store proved too much. Subsequently, Sillybilly became a recluse, surfacing only to purchase his groceries and to visit his local curiosity shop during specially arranged times.

With the advent of the internet there was even less need for him to leave his home, all groceries, books and educational video's/DVD’s could be purchased online. However, his thirst for the curiosity shop could not be quenched. He was a regular visitor until 1999 when the owners finally retired and the shop was closed. His sole visitor for the past three years has been the district nurse.

BookCrossing has become his sole salvation in life.