Dennis
Dennis has worked on security in pubs and clubs and once in a brewery. He talks about the sights and smells of those places, remembering one crazy night-club owner who wanted to put down a white carpet. He tells us all about how hops were picked, and about seeing them drying on the brewery’s heated floor. He has taken good care of the hop plant at Beaufort Grange, just as he used to tend his own garden.
Anne
Anne studies the picture of hop pickers on tall stilts and asks “How did they get on them? And how did they get off?” Then, she remembers, “I used to have stilts. I think my dad made them for me. He was poorly much of his life, so we had to do a lot for him.” She also remembers her father making his own beer. She hardly ever talks about her dad, the staff tell us later.
Maria
Maria used to teach. She’s quiet and gentle, listening and watching everything, reaching out to touch the hop plant or smell the lavender. Sometimes she likes to get up and walk, and in one session she dances with a member of the staff. She has the most wonderful smile.
Dr Gupta
Dr Gupta’s contributions to medicine have been recognised by awards from the governments of Zaire and of Uganda (where he was born). He shares his knowledge and love of the natural world and the plants and animals that are part of it. Pictures of the former Courage brewery bring back memories of a great Chinese restaurant that he and his wife (with her wonderful ‘sharp mind’) used to visit nearby.
Christine
Christine remembers her mum talking about going to the hop-fields in Kent. She must have enjoyed the work, Christine thinks, because it was in the outdoors. But, she laughs, it was a long time ago! Another day we talk about growing runner beans, how they ‘hide’ in the plant, and the joy of picking them but then always having a glut: “You had to give bags of them to the neighbours!”
Elizabeth
Elizabeth has always lived in a house with a garden. “Vegetables, apples, walnuts, we grew a lot of lavender,” she tells us. Around the table, the chat turns to the differences between men and women, and someone suggests: “Men are for fixing things and calling a spade a spade.” “What makes you think women don’t do that!?” laughs Elizabeth.
John
John used to travel a lot for work, and we chat about the world and what he saw in it. He also shares stories of pubs in the Black Country. He had a garden at home in England, although – he laughs – somebody else always did all the hard work there. When he was abroad, it was his family he missed most (of course), but also sitting in the garden, perhaps with “a sip of something”.
Ruby
Ruby doesn’t mind telling us she doesn’t really like beer at all. She’d prefer champagne, or why don’t we put lemonade with the beer, she suggests: “Shandy! It’s quite nice shandy. Why haven’t I got a glass of shandy, right now?” she smiles.
