Haze's strangers: No. 56: Brian aka Henry Herne the butler
Not 'What the butler saw' but it was me who saw the butler rush down the corridor as Ray and I were looking round the rooms at Lanhydrock (National Trust). He seemed to be muttering to himself that he had lost somebody.
I was just musing what a wasted portrait opportunity when, as we came out of a room, there he was just standing in the corridor, butler's black long-tailed coat, white gloves and shirt, and holding a small silver salver (for visiting cards) aloft in one hand.
I didn't bother with too much introduction, fearful that he might dash off somewhere again, and Henry Herne, the butler, aka Brian, a National Trust Volunteer, was only too happy to oblige with a photo. He's obviously used to such requests. I thought he held the slightly aloof pose of a butler perfectly.
Brian told me that he works as a volunteer on Saturdays at Lanhydrock and that it had been difficult to source his uniform which he provided himself. When I asked for a little information about him to accompany the portrait, he said he has lots of hobbies and went on to talk about two of them.
His great passion is music: swing jazz, Glen Miller, Duke Ellington et al, which he plays on clarinet and saxophone, not in a band but just for his own pleasure. He is also very keen on astronomy and has his own observatory at home equipped with a powerful telescope.
I was grateful for two things on that visit to Lanhydrock: it being a Saturday; the portrait lens on the camera.
A small and belated September update for 2024, where I am still, after many years' membership, on 365 Project, also now posting elsewhere but wanting...
Haha! I had the impression that Brian really enjoys himself!
You made me smile -I remember 'forced' trips too! (To places other than Lanhydrock!)
There was a more formal enclosed garden but I don't know if it's called that - might have been called the parterre......