On my recent visit to St Cross - The Hospital of St Cross and Almshouse of Noble Poverty - I took not only my camera, as usual, but also a copy of the book of my dad's PoW diaries to donate to the library of the Brothers who live there.
I enjoy many visits to the almshouse as a Friend of St Cross and have also been fortunate to find willing subjects among the Brothers and the volunteers in the tea shop for my passion for portrait photography. The tea shop is housed in the Hundred Men's Hall originally founded to provide a midday meal to 100 men at the gate. Visitors to St Cross can also ask, in the Porter's Lodge, for the 'dole', a little piece of bread and a small beaker of ale.
I met Julie, who is deputy clerk to the trustees and after introductions, we went to sit looking overlooking the grassy quad.
When I arranged to meet Julie, I had no plan to ask her for a portrait but after a while, found myself doing just that. She did agree but said she did not really like having her photo taken. I took a few shots just as we were, sitting on the wooden seat.
Julie has worked at St Cross for four years and told me she loves the feel of the place and could not imagine working elsewhere. As deputy clerk to the trustees, one of her main roles is events management which provides a large part of the income needed to maintain these Grade 1 listed buildings. Monies also accrue from visitors' admissions and from the Friends, the latter currently responsible for funding the new meadow gates.
We spoke a little about the book which Julie will present to the Brothers as an addition to their library. I commented that it must have been difficult for my father and others like him, to adjust to life at home again after a lengthy stay in PoW camps. Julie could empathise with this. Her husband is now retired from the army with the rank of Major and she explained that even a 6 month placement away from home for army personnel necessitates a certain level of adjustment afterwards.
Little coincidences: Julie's husband began his army career as a gunner in 7th R.H.A. and rose through the ranks. On conscription in 1939 my dad was a gunner in R.A. In addition to keeping his diary, he later gave an interview about his experiences to the Imperial War Museum where Julie's husband began work as Head of Human Resources just 2 weeks ago.
In her free time Julie enjoys yoga and sewing. She will be taking part in a half marathon for Trek 26 which supports people with Alzheimer's, her mother having had this diagnosis for a year. She feels lucky that her parents live close to her own family and can visit for Sunday lunch every week.
A nice little domestic touch: as we sat talking, a mini-bus drove into the quad. This takes Brothers who wish to do their shopping to a local supermarket every Thursday. One of the Brothers uses this opportunity just as a social occasion.
It was good to meet Julie and I have her email to send a photo or two - hope she will like them - and to say thank you for her time.
My portraits:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/150442566@N07/sets/72157674948019094
More street portraits and stories
https://www.flickr.com/groups/thehumanfamily/
From time to time I also have lunch at The Bell on a photographic jaunt. There is a variety of interesting scenarios in St Cross: the Master's garden, always beautifully kept, the Norman church, the old part consisting of the Brethren's Hall, kitchen & cellar, and Hundred Men's Hall with tea-rooms open in the summer months.
120 , that is some achievement Haze :)