While Bekki was here, we visited Birmingham to see the pre-Raphaelites at the city art gallery, and before heading there we took a wander around Birmingham Cathedral. The connection being that Edward Burne-Jones designed the magnificent stained glass windows there (a pre-Raphaelite himself) They were stunning, as vibrant as the day they were installed, but the real highlight for me was meeting a beautiful lady called, Hazel. She had worked there for some 30+ years as a volunteer, manning the little gift shop.
They've scaled down the shop in recent years to the point where there is almost nothing to buy any more as the stock is not replenished. A few assorted bookmarks and Cathedral souvenir odds and ends were spread out upon the desk that she presided over. They covered a small area. We talked about how it had all changed from the heydays when they did a good turnover in gifts each day to now, a couple of pence or pounds worth on any given day. It was rather sad to witness, and so we made a point of buying a couple of items, one of which she gave us for free. She wrote down £1.70 in the shop's log. Anyway, just before we left, I asked her if she would mind if I took her photo to which she said, 'As long as I don't break the camera!' I said I'd send it through to the Cathedral website so she could see it next time she went into work. I sent it through and today got a lovely response back.
'Hi Hazel, it was lovely chatting with you when we visited the cathedral. You spoke with my mother and afterwards, I joined in (just refreshing your memory) Anyway, I said I'd send you a photo or two and so here they are. ~ Matt.'
Dear Matt,
Thank you ever so much for your email, which has been printed and left in the shop for Hazel next time she’s in. Would you be happy for me to put the photos you took on our website? With your permission, I would also like to tweet them, do you have twitter?
Many thanks,
Hannah
Hannah Findley
Administration and Communications Officer
Such a shame this lady isn't busier ......people like her are the life bloods of churches & cathedrals. My aunt used to do exactly the same in Hexham Northumberland.
Lovely photo of too :) fav