As Jenny and I, with little Olive, were coming through the avenue of trees leading into St Cross, a lady approached us and asked if she was heading in the right direction for Winchester. We told her she needed to go in the opposite direction. Shortly afterwards, Jenny and Olive continued their walk and I sat on a seat outside the wall of the almshouses to take stock of my photos thus far.
I'd not been sitting long when the same lady came along, easily recognisable because of her lovely red jacket. We exchanged a few words and I told her about my project and asked for a photo. She was very happy to have her portrait taken and I suggested she sat on the other end of the seat which would put the sun behind me.
We introduced ourselves and I found that this was Jane who was shortly going on a guided tour of the Hospital of St Cross and Almshouse of Noble Poverty, somewhere she had never visited before although living near Lymington in the New Forest. The visit had been organised by the Quester Group of Lymington U3A.
Jane also belongs to a Mah Jong group within U3A and is a keen walker and cyclist. She has 4 children, 10 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
After learning about all her activities and extended family it was exceptionally nice when she referred to what we were doing as 'an exciting adventure'!
Jane is originally from Lincolnshire which she says makes her a 'yellabelly' so called because in Lincolnshire the regiment was originally private and wore yellow waistcoats.**
I took a few shots of Jane wearing her glasses and then she suggested she might take them off so I took a few shots without them. I'm sending her, as promised, one of each but I prefer this one with glasses, with some detail of her eyes visible.
I hope Jane and the group enjoyed the tour at St Cross. I can't think of a better lovely sunny day to visit the almshouses for the first time.
** I googled this to find:
a local brewery produces a beer called 'yellabelly gold'
a book about Lincolnshire dialect is available: 'Nobbut a Yellerbelly' by Alan Stennett
Lovely capture and portrait I think red suits Jane and along with the sunlight she has a lovely glow.I am from Lincolnshire which makes me a Lincolnshire Yella belly too although there are quite a few different stories why we are so called and some not so nice as others.
You got two for the price of one Hazel! I don't think you need to move away from that area, just sit & catch them all as they walk past! I always think anyone wearing red is a great target!
You are really a marvel, Hazel in your ability to take beautiful portraits on the go as well as getting wonderful interviews! This lady hardly looks like she could possibly be a great grandmother 13 times over!!! She's still quite youthful looking! All that walking and cycling, perhaps!
Fabulous portrait with lovely light, colour and clarity, lovely story to go with it to Hazel, before retiring was you an interigation office with the Police as you get to know so much about your subjects, I'm also a Yellowbelly and my father served in the 1st Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment in WWII and was also a Yellowbelly:)
Yes, I like that the glasses are not too dark and you can see her eyes. What an interesting woman- and 13 great grandchildren, that's awesome! Another great portrait Hazel!
Great to find two yellabellies on here and I did find there could be dubious reasons for that name, Wendy! And Peter, I was never an interrogation officer with the police BUT I was assistant PRO with Suffolk Constabulary once upon a time. That was a lovely job.
@quietpurplehaze Nice to hear that Hazel, my dad told us as children that the regimental history recorded that Yellowbellies name was because of the red coats and yellow waistcoat of the Lincolnshire regiment, fighting in the American war of independence as the North American Indian scouts working with the rebels (Patriots) at the battle of Lexington in 1775 called the Lincolnshire regiment soldiers:)
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I won't wear my new red boots then if I see you coming with your camera, Pat! It was lovely sitting there in the sun.
Great to find two yellabellies on here and I did find there could be dubious reasons for that name, Wendy! And Peter, I was never an interrogation officer with the police BUT I was assistant PRO with Suffolk Constabulary once upon a time. That was a lovely job.
I'm always fascinated by these snippets of local info!