On my last visit to St Cross, I was drinking a cup of tea in the Hundred Men's Hall when I heard a voice asking if it was OK to sit on the same table as me. No problem, and a gentleman sat down with his cup of tea and a flapjack on a tray. We got into conversation and I discovered that he was one of the Brothers who live at the almshouses.
He introduced himself as Brother John and I introduced myself. I already knew that several of the brothers were called John, so I asked him how many at the moment and he told me he was one of seven. Obviously a name popular with parents of his generation. At any one time there are about 25 Brothers living at St. Cross. They are not monks as the almshouses are a secular organisation.
I asked Brother John if he would let me take his photo for my portrait project and he was happy with that, if a little surprised. I took two sets of photos: some when he was sitting at the table and a few more later on a wooden seat with a carved back rest. I chose one of the latter.
Brother John told me that he sold his family house and came to live at St Cross five years ago when his wife was being cared for in a home as she had Alzheimer's.
He told me about his varied career and described himself as a 'lifelong learner'. After completing his National Service in the navy, he worked as an assistant warden on Outward Bound in the peaks near Buxton teaching activities such as canoeing and rock climbing.
Much of his career has been spent in education: teaching religious education and geography in secondary school in the industrial part of Derbyshire; working in primary education as head of a village school in Berkshire; teaching the teachers in teacher training. He completed his doctorate later in life on the subject of administration in education from a historical perspective.
He and his wife lived for a time in Malaysia where he was employed by the MOD as a teacher to the children of personnel stationed there. His wife, also a teacher, ran a private school. He spoke fondly of the Cameron Highlands, a beautiful place.
In retirement Brother John worked with his brother who developed timing systems for events such as showjumping and marathons and this work took him abroad to Greece and to Barcelona.
He told me that he takes an interest in current affairs and likes the outdoor life, including gardening.
We also had a little chat about photography as Brother John used to have a Voigtländer 35 mm camera, but he has not ventured into digital.
Before we parted, he recalled a great family Christmas holiday in New Zealand a couple of years ago but was less than enthusiastic about the 20-hour-long flight home. I have his email to send him his photo.
Brother John was a sitting duck Hazel! Bet anyone striking up a conversation with you is a likely subject. An excellent photo & story. I would be interested to find out what qualifies you to call yourself Brither John & live in the almshouses. He has obviously lived a regular married life until fairly recently. Do the brothers have to take vows or commit themselves to Christ in anyway or if there's a vacancy in the almshouses & you are considered a suitable candidate can you just move in!
Pat, it's not a religious institution. The brothers are not monks. All I have managed to find out is that you must not have a property and that they pay a weekly rent. Although it's a secular, not religious, institution the brothers have to attend church each morning wearing their robes.
What a revealing encounter...and so diverse. Well done you for employing your well honed patience, questioning and listening skills to add another jewel to your crown.
May 14th, 2017
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Pat, it's not a religious institution. The brothers are not monks. All I have managed to find out is that you must not have a property and that they pay a weekly rent. Although it's a secular, not religious, institution the brothers have to attend church each morning wearing their robes.
excellent image too