Jade L A Fisher
Carousel of stories
"Carousel of stories Is a reminiscence photographic project collaborating with individuals with dementia, memory loss to capture their connections to Gloucestershire. The project celebrates their unique stories of some of Gloucestershire's residents and their favourite places, past and present, I believe is important to document this by giving voice to these stories."
Alan photographed at Leckhampton Hill his favourite place in Cheltenham
Alice is photographed in her favourite place in Gloucestershire Westgate Street where the family statue used to stand before it was removed due to vandalism.
Alan
Why is Leckhampton your favourite place in Gloucestershire?
It’s because I was born and bred, and family were born and bred in Leckhampton. Growing up as a child it is all I ever knew of Cheltenham. In the Norwood area, in the hills, the devils chimney. I have lots of good and interesting memories for me.
Climbing the devil’s chimney as a child is one of my favourite memories in Leckhampton. You weren’t supposed to climb it but we were children and not that heavy so we got away with it.
Image Description Alan he/him is a white man in his early 60’s he is pictured at his favourite location Leckhampton Hill in Cheltenham on a cloudy day. He is leaning casually on a wooden fence. Alan is smiling when he smiles his smile lines are visible around his mouth and his eyes. He is intensely staring directly at the camera. He is situated in the centre of the frame. In the distance of image is an urban landscape of Cheltenham. Alan is surrounded by dark olive-green grass and to the right of the background is a large leafless tree. Alan is wearing a black hooded timeless waterproof coat.
Alice
Why is Westgate Street your favourite place In Gloucestershire?
I like Westgate Street because of the family statue that used to be there. When I moved to Gloucester with my husband the citizen took our photograph with it and did a story about us as a newly married couple. I also like Westgate Street as the folk museum is there.
I don’t only like Westgate Street, Gloucester has so many different places you can go and visit.
Image Description Alice she/her is an Asian woman from Sarawak in her 80s. She is photographed in Westgate street in front of the Gloucester Folk Museum where the family statue used to stand before it was vandalised and removed. Alice can be seen standing in front of three buildings one building is red and the other two are orange in colour one being a darker orange. All buildings have black Tudor styled wooden beams; the dark orange building to the left of the image has scaffolding. A red car can be seen peeking into the image from the right. Alice is unintentionally matching the location wearing a bright red coat with light brown fur trim around the hood and a blue scarf with purple butterflies on it. She has a sleek straight silver bob and black stylish thin framed glasses on. Alice is smiling with her teeth on display and is looking directly at the camera with her head tilted to the side.
Trevor
Why is Robinswood Hill your favourite place in Gloucestershire?
Growing as a child, Robinswood Hill was. The nearest place to escape to. And as far as I was concerned, I used it be or was my playground and den. It was the perfect place to sort of play hide and seek and war games like boys do.
My favourite memory is just I haven't got a particular I have to be honest, I just got one overriding memory of being up there and escape like I said from your parents’. We used to make swings on your know bring a bit a rope and swinging around and just generally just messing about. Yeah, there’s not one thing that sticks out or stands out like yeah, I enjoyed doing that specific just lots and lots of different things.
Do you go up there now with your family?
I do go up there you know, again there is a little bit more there because now you've got the Information Centre, which is full of, you know, information, facts and information, and people can go in there and join and also volunteer. They got also a cafe. And you know, you could go out there and have a good day at the weather being in your favour. When I go out there i got there on my own sometimes i just wake up in the morning, I said right I’m going for a walk at Robbinswood. I walk from my home which is about a mile and 1/2 from Robinswood.
I would jump on my bicycle and cycle to the cafes. Obviously if I could cycle up the Hill I would love it coming down it would be something else as long as you hold on to the brakes. It wouldn't be a problem. I've been up with my neighbour and I've met up with my daughter and her partner. We've walked up there. So yeah, I go up on my own solo with other people with friends family, It’s all been good because walking up the hill you know you have time to talk and escape and what i find walking there whoever I’m with it tends to draw you closer to nature and focus on the things around you and appreciate and look more and you notice things more.
Image Description Trevor He/Him is a black man in his early 60’s he is pictured at Robinswood Hill in Gloucester. He is sat in the middle of the frame on a fallen tree trunk. The background of the image is full of greenery and trees. The mudded ground is littered with autumn leaves that are brown and orange. Trevor is joyfully smiling with his head tilted to the side. He is wearing bright blue laced trainers with white soles. He is wearing beige jeans, a navy and red rain jacket with a pale blue and white striped knitted jumper that can be seen as his jacket is zipped only 3/4s of the way up, Trevor is also wearing a baseball style cap which is a faded black colour.
Trevor is photographed in his favourite place in Gloucestershire Robinswood Hill, where he played as a young boy and now enjoys walks with his family and friends.
What’s your favourite place in Gloucestershire?
Stow, I love Stow anywhere. There is nothing I didn’t like about it. I yearned to go to the shop me ups, any deciding to do things or anything important. The best dressed people. you did have to walk on the curb side when they were in during the summer.
The town hall was beautiful inside as it was modernised. It was a beautiful quaint village but me and colin used to say it was trampled down every day during the summer we could only have it after the summer had gone and all the people had gone. you didn’t go get your shopping done till after 6.
In my heart I wish I was still there. I loved it , I loved the WI and the mothers club and all that thing.
Shirley
Image Description Shirley (she/her) is a white woman in her 70’s. She is pictured sat in dark slate grey armchair with a faux dark green plant behind her. At her residential care home in Gloucester. Shirley is seen sweetly smiling while posing for the camera. She loved having her picture taken. Her hands resting just below her chin. She has salt and pepper coloured hair which is styled off her face. She is wearing a light baby pink button up knitted cardigan with dark pink and purple flowers embroidered down the front. She is wearing a gold wedding and engagement rings; her long nails have been manicured and painted a scarlet red. She has burgundy red square framed glasses that complement her face.
Shirley is photographed at her residential care home in Gloucester, Cavendish Care Home after talking about her favourite place in Gloucestershire Stow.
Why is Montpellier Park your favourite place in Gloucestershire?
Its near home, we sit there and drink coffee or have cappuccino on the benches. I know that once a couple years ago all the family came up and we played football at Montpellier Park. As you a great footballer, you love football.
I don’t know whether you remember Dad, but you fell over. You gave such a big kick. Yeah, you fell over wand we were worried you hit your head on the concreate, but you didn’t you just clipped your wrist. We had to drive the car into the park to rescue you and take you to the hospital.
We thought oh no what’s dad gone and done at the age of 89 kicking a football. We usually would sit right near the play park and watch the children play just me and you.
What’s your favourite memory you share with your dad?
We went to the literature festival, and we enjoyed going into the book tent and looking at books. The literature festival was one of the reasons that Dad moved to Cheltenham. Do you remember Dad, I really enjoyed doing that with you Dad. Dad is really good with words and has written lots and lots of poems even though you were a scientist.
Edward
Image Description Edward he/him is a white man in his 80s. He is pictured in Montpellier Park in Cheltenham. Edward is pictured in front of tall trees that consume the image on a winter's day. The sky is very overcast creating a cool tone to the image. Edward is on the right hand of the frame. He is smiling with his eyes fixated on a bird flying in the distance off camera. Edward has bright white hair and a white bushy beard and eyebrows. His facial expression is excitement as he watches the bird. He is wearing a floral shirt and a black zip up fleece with a bright white logo.
Edward is photographed at his favourite place in Gloucestershire, Montpellier Park. He is known to have played a competitive game of football with all his family over the years.
Carol
What’s your favourite place in Gloucestershire?
My favourite place is my garden. Its where I feel at home. Its where I can relax. It destresses me. I just like to be out there and lose myself in my garden especially in the summer, I’m out there from daylight to when it gets dark as there is always something to do. I find something to do and then I find something else to do. I could spend all day out there especially during the growing season. As I grow everything from seeds, and I have to transplant them. I could fill all my time with gardening if I had nothing else to do I could spend all day out there.
I have grown lots of things. But one of things I grow that reminds me of back home is chocho (Chayote) I grow thyme for seasoning and flowers, I grow lots of different flowers. I grow bulbs in the summer and various carnations. My favourite ones are lilies. I start the lilies off, I grow them, and I have them at the side of the road, the side of my house on the entrance of my front door. I have yellow, orange and pink and I have a dark purply colour. So, I grow all those. I have to be careful with them as lily beetles and I’m on them like no one’s business.
When I’m in my garden, like the other day I saw this little plant come up that I never planted it. I think the birds gave it to me and I didn’t plant it. If you go out there like the rose today it just comes up.
Image Description Carol she/her is black Caribbean woman in her 70s. She is photographed in a small section of her back garden which is her favourite place to relax in Gloucestershire. Carol appearance is youthful. She is wearing a timeless navy long sleeved ribbed cardigan with waterfall front and smart black slim legged trousers. She is wearing a black headdress and dark tinted UV protected square glasses. She is pictured proudly sitting on a metal garden chair. She is gently smiling at the camera. She has her hands clasped on her lap. Carol is surrounded by all her hard work in her garden. To the left of carol is a terracotta pot which has a long, tall base it is full of burnt orange and bright yellow Ganzia African Daisies that are taller than Carol when she is sitting, the plant is being supported by bamboo. On the floor next to the terracotta pot is a light baby pink and bright vibrant red Salvia plant. On the right of Carol in the frame is thin green bamboo shoots and a purple brush headed Vervain.
Carol is photographed in her favourite place in Gloucestershire, her garden where she loves to get lost maintaining and growing her flowers and vegetables.
Mohammed
Why is Tuffley Park one of your favourite places in Gloucestershire?
The Widden Cricket Club began at Sinup Street Gloucester, but Mohammed has fond memories of playing at the Tuffley Park Ground as pictured in the team group photo.
He liked to see the surrounding houses and trees, fields and open space. He also enjoyed playing many away games in the rural Cotswold countryside.
His position was bowler, and he was captain for a decade, including fundraising and organising the kit in addition to playing matches and training. Social interaction and the camaraderie of teammates were a large part of the enjoyment Mohammed gained from cricket and took responsibility for making every effort to involve everyone and make them feel welcome. He also recognised the value in recognition and organised the annual awards dinner to celebrate all team members.
Information provided by Mrs Patel
Image Description Mohammed he/him is an Asian man in his late 60s with a long grey and white beard. He is pictured in the centre of the frame with his hands clasped in front of him as he stands in a field with short green grass and buildings in the distance. Mohammed’s pose is reserved as he gazes into the camera. Mohammed is smartly dressed wearing a navy smart jacket with two pockets on the chest which is unzipped under the jacket he is wearing a light grey knitted jumper with a pale blue and white striped shirt and beige chino trousers and a navy striped beanie.
Mohammed is photographed in his favourite place in Gloucestershire Tuffley Avenue Park, where he played cricket for The Widden Asian Cricket Club. He was a bowler and team captain for 10 years.
Rita
Your dad used to train horses?
Oh yes in Ireland, yes. He trained all of them. He’s very good man he is, he knew what he was doing like with them. He would them want he didn’t them to do. They do get funny when they get older they get disfigured and discoloured when they get older.
He then had to show the older one’s different ways of doing things.
When they got to the races my dad would show them where they needed to go and tell them what they needed to do, he would take their favourite knitted jumper off them to get them ready. He sorted them out and put their braces in their mouth and prepare them for the race. He did everything he was supposed to do.
He definitely looked after them. He loves them very dearly. I appreciate him. I stand up on him. He would take me with him.
Did your dad ever come to the Cheltenham Races?
He do yes, oh yes very often very often. He goes to loads of different ones. He went to different places with the horses. He would teach and show the horses what they needed to do.
Can you ride horses? Have you ever been on a horse?
Oh yes oh yes, definitely go on the horses and give them a ride every now and then but, Dad was so good with the horses. He was very good to the horses. They were very good to him to they were so understanding.
Image Description Rita she/her is an Irish white woman in her 70s. She is photographed at Cheltenham racecourse at the horse's stables which is her favourite place in Gloucestershire as it reminds her of her father who was a horse trainer and attended many Cheltenham Race Festivals. She has thick luxurious short hair with sweeping fringe. She is wearing a black winter coat and is wrapped up in a thick handknitted blanket which is slate grey and lime green. She is sat in a black wheelchair against the wooden exterior of the horse’s stable. She is gently smiling while looking past the camera.
Rita is photographed at one of her favourite places in Gloucestershire, Cheltenham Racecourse. The Racecourse reminds Rita of her father who was a horse trainer in Ireland, and both attended many festivals at Cheltenham Racecourse.
Brian
What’s your favourite thing to do in Gloucestershire?
It would be my bike, that’s the most interesting part. I spend a lot of time on it. I would go down to the local store which is down the bottom of Brockworth. The shop was where they sold bikes and that’s where I bought it. At the moment its back at the shops. I do like riding so I will continue doing that. The bikes are very superb.
I’ve always had a bike, three wheelers then I got up to two wheels, I’ve always been into bikes. It’s about 4 months since I’ve not been on a bike because of the weather.
Yes I used to carry my tools on my bike, well in my army services I got my bikes, you need a bike to get around the camp. I really enjoyed it.
Image Description Brian he/him is a white man in his early 70’s. He is photographed in a green high back armchair in a room with cream walls at his residential care home in Gloucester. Brian has white hair which is styled in a side parting. Brian is wearing a navy-blue v neck jumper with three buttons on the neck, a white t shirt is peeping through the v neck. Brian has a neutral expression on his face, his head turned slightly to the side which looking at the camera. He is sat near a window and this lights half of his face while the other half falls slightly into shadow.
Brian is photographed at his residential care home in Gloucester Cavendish.