We decided this morning, as it was only drizzling slightly, to have a trip to Lee on Solent for a breath of fresh air. As we got out of the car the wind was howling and the general colour was grey. Then I saw Santa on the prom and got my little camera out of my big coat pocket.
There were a few walkers/runners passing along the beach and Santa aka Gavin told me he was acting as a marshal for the 5 km Parkrun which is held on Christmas Day as a special occasion but also every Saturday morning at Lee throughout the year starting at 9 o'clock.
I have always found anyone dressed up in a public place to be quite willing to pose for a photo so I wasted no time in asking Gavin and he was quite happy to do so. I admired his hand-knitted beard but he disillusioned me saying that it was attached to the Santa hat and came as a whole from a large well-known supermarket. I confess, seeing my photo loaded up to the laptop, that I can fully understand why Santa might be a bit scary for small children.
Gavin works for Portsmouth City Council in IT support. He obviously enjoys his job and finds it fulfilling. He recently provided support for a course run for victims of domestic abuse and following that, support for a course for the perpetrators of that abuse.
He told me that some computers in libraries have been set up by his dept specifically for users with difficulties such as dyspraxia, dyslexia, hearing or sight loss. I mentioned my previous work with dyslexic students and Gavin told me that he is dyslexic. At school he was called stupid, thick, lazy - all those usual adjectives - but at college, aged 20, he was diagnosed and received support. He re-trains constantly to be up-to-date with developments in technology and has also worked for the navy, installing Sky TV on board plus internet cafés.
Gavin was happy for me to use his photo and information in my strangers' projects but good-naturedly declined the offer of a photo.
Ray and I carried on along the prom and then in the town found one café open doing good coffee, and bacon sandwiches.
Thank you, Merrelyn, Merry Christmas. In addition, the beard kept slipping and he had to adjust it frequently so he could talk! But what luck to meet Santa on Christmas Day!!!
PS. I gave my husband your book today for Chrustmas. He is loving it already and has read some excerpts aloud to the teenager. So interesting. I can't wait to read it myself now!
Fun photo and great story! It's always good to hear a story where, in spite of the obstacles, someone overcomes adversity and does well in life. What a good shot for Christmas!
Great photo. I loved reading about him and your work with dyslexia. I have many experiences of dyslexia and my dissertation for my degree was a discussion around people with dyslexia becoming teachers. I am so pleased that now it is much more open and better understood so that people do not suffer like Gavin and those I know have done in the past ( and still do because of their past experiences). Another wonderful 'Stranger'.
Thank you, Merrelyn, Merry Christmas. In addition, the beard kept slipping and he had to adjust it frequently so he could talk! But what luck to meet Santa on Christmas Day!!!
Thank you very much! This one was so unexpected and proved to be really interesting.
Thank you for the feedback - always encouraging! Enjoy your holiday!
Babs, hope you had a good Christmas! For me, the icing on the cake was getting a Santa stranger portrait!