We decided to visit Sir Harold Hillier Gardens to see if the peonies were blooming, having missed them last year. Ray needed to renew our joint annual membership with a regular member of staff so I had a little chat with the lady volunteer who was also working on reception that day.
I cannot remember exactly what we talked about, just the usual everyday communication I guess. She was interested in my camera and said she also has a digital camera so I handed mine over so she could see how beautifully light it is. Then I mentioned my strangers' portraiture project and asked if I might take her photo. Her immediate reaction was to politely refuse. Maybe I looked disappointed (I obviously cannot see my own expression in such circumstances!) because she then said I could take her portrait, 'if you really want to."
Well I did want to and asked her to sit on her chair behind the reception desk and took a few shots. Then I remembered to introduce myself and found that I was speaking with Kate. She told me that she also volunteers at Winchester Cathedral and at Hinton Ampner, a National Trust property, both of which are favourite haunts of mine for photography.
Kate told me she is a widow. She and her husband travelled the world with his army career, living for some time in Singapore and in Germany. She likes walking and music, Beethoven, Mozart, Mahler, and traditional jazz. Her husband used to play the piano. Kate is a member of a book group, currently reading Michelle Obama's autobiography.
I was amazed when Kate told me that she is 91 and felt privileged to have learned about her full and varied life.
Ray had finished his transaction and came over for a chat, asking Kate about the new 'exhibitions' at Winchester Cathedral when he discovered she works there. I took a couple more photos and in the one you see Kate was talking to Ray. She is off to York shortly to spend time with one of her three children, anticipating plenty of walking and I wish her all the best for the week.
I thanked Kate for participating in my project, giving her a card as contact for photos and she replied 'It's been lovely'. We went off to find the peonies.
A small and belated September update for 2024, where I am still, after many years' membership, on 365 Project, also now posting elsewhere but wanting...
