As we showed our national trust membership cards at the entrance to Greys Court, Ray noticed a small pile of Cinnamon Trust leaflets on the desk and remarked to the staff on duty that I had just started work as a volunteer dog walker for the trust.
The young man in the team, David as I noted from his name badge, said he had brought the leaflets in and explained that he used to work for the RSPCA and that he himself has 5 dogs. He has worked full-time for the National Trust for three years.
There were other visitors waiting to gain admission, so Ray and I carried on into the grounds but I decided that if David was still on duty when we left, I would ask him for a portrait.
It was a few hours after a sun-filled time in the beautiful gardens and grounds before we made our way to the exit but David was still working. When I explained my strangers' portrait project, he was very happy to have his photo taken.
First we went in search of a place in the shade and afterwards I also took some photos in front of the reception hut. I then asked David if he would write down for me the names of all of his 5 dogs, which he did.
The oldest and the mother figure to the group is Megan, a golden retriever. Next come two males: Locks, a Staffie and Rocco, a Jack Russell. Number four is Poppy, a Westie and last, but not least is Kiki Bear, another female and a Cairn terrier and which made me feel nostalgic for Jinks.
David shared with me that he is one of triplets and that he 'played' one of the baby Kray brothers in the film 'The Krays' in 1990.
This honour was scheduled to be shared by his two sister triplets but one of them became upset and cried so David 'stepped into the breach'. I did a little research online and indeed found a photo of the babies being christened in the film. **
I guess this is a very unusual claim to fame and being in my strangers' project will not be in the same league! But I am grateful to David and wish him and his canine companions all the very best.
** baby Krays
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099951/mediaviewer/rm3576744960
more photos:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/150442566@N07/40932017204/in/dateposted-public/
Annie, thank you. Yes, that sign states the obvious very politely I think!
What a lovely comment, thank you!
Pat, I have learnt so much of interest working my way to this, Stranger no.141!