As I sat with Senior Brother John outside the tea rooms at the Hundred Men's Hall of St Cross, different people came up to say hello and pass the time of day with him. One of these was Richard who was introduced to me as the Chairman of the Friends of St. Cross, interesting as I've been a friend for the last two years but had not met the chairman.
Brother John told Richard about my project and asked him if he would also like to participate. This met with approval and so, when Brother John went off to Chichester to the theatre, I made my way into the tea rooms where I also met Richard's wife, Maureen. They run the tea rooms every Wednesday morning.
Another Brother was standing at the counter and took it upon himself to stage manage the photo-shoot, getting Richard and Maureen to pose as if serving me tea and cake. I did not object and it made for a different style of photo. (I think the Earl Grey is just about to appear out of the spout of that elegant silver teapot!)
It was soon evident that, although this husband and wife team are involved now with cake, all their life has been a love affair with chocolate.
Several of Maureen's relations have worked at Cadbury World and she and Richard met there in Birmingham. It was in South Africa that they became engaged, where Richard had been posted. At first he told me he was 'chief taster' but later in the conversation I found that he was in charge of the 'Overseas Production Department and Quality Control'......
The family who founded Cadbury World were Quakers, thus committed to knowing their employees and to looking after their well-being. Educational opportunities were often provided and Richard himself was the recipient of a music scholarship.
I learnt about Richard's grandfather who used his entrepreneurial skills to set up King Alfred Motor Services for the troops stationed at Morn Hill Transit Camp, Winchester, in WW1. Maureen mentioned to me that she has her father's diaries from WW2 so I told her about the museum in Leeds.
Cadbury World now operates from Poland and America. If you are a chocoholic, probably best not to view this link:
https://www.cadburyworld.co.uk/
Richard and Maureen will soon celebrate their Golden Wedding Anniversary. I've emailed the photo to them as Richard thought it perhaps could mark the occasion.
Key words in a small notebook - the rest in my head - usually can remember/decipher! The photo is quite quick, the write-up takes the time.
Peter, thank you. After the initial all-encompassing 'can you tell me a bit about yourself to accompany your photo', I think I use more prompts than questions and when folk begin to talk, then they usually take over the interview.
I love the inclusion of the shelf of various teapots behind the subjects.
As far as chocolate is concerned I have no willpower either!
I don't think I realised that Bournville was a place! Small world, yes!
a super set up with the acting and props :)
sounds like good fun having a director :)