A few stories behind the pictures—the people I’ve met, the projects I’ve enjoyed and some memorable moments along the way.
A cup of tea with Patrick Stewart
In 2006, I wrote a letter to Patrick Stewart. I was working on a series of painted portraits of people with Yorkshire connections, and he was someone I really wanted to include.
I explained what I was hoping to do and enclosed a picture of my portrait of Cleggy from Last of the Summer Wine, so he could see the sort of work I was creating. Then I sent it off and hoped for the best.
Amazingly, he wrote back. And he didn’t just reply—he invited me down to Stratford-upon-Avon to meet him and take photographs for his portrait.
At the time, he was appearing in two Royal Shakespeare Company productions, Antony and Cleopatra and The Tempest.
I arrived just before lunchtime and was waiting outside the theatre when I noticed a chap coming down the road with his arms full of parcels. As he got closer, I realised it was Patrick Stewart.He explained that he went to the post office every dayto collect his parcels, mostly things people had sent him. So, having gone there to photograph him, I found myself helping him carry his boxes into the theatre.
We went up to his dressing room, which was quite small and nothing grand at all. There was a mirror and his things about the place, just as you’d expect in somebody’s working space. I took my photographs, which I thoroughly enjoyed. He was lovely about the whole thing, and I got some really good pictures.
Then he suggested we go for a cup of tea.
We went down to the theatre café and sat chatting about what I was doing and what he was doing. I can’t remember every detail of the conversation now, but I do remember how comfortable it felt. He was interested, easy to talk to and very generous with his time.
I’d written to a few people about the portrait project, and some hadn’t replied. Of course, you send these things knowing you might not hear anything back. But here was Patrick Stewart, making time to meet me, letting me take photographs in his dressing room and then sitting down for a proper chat over tea.
He didn’t have to do any of that, and I’ve always appreciated it.
The photograph of us together was taken outside afterwards, beside the River Avon. I’m very glad I have it. It reminds me of a lovely afternoon that started with a letter and somehow included carrying Patrick Stewart’s parcels.
A thoroughly lovely man. I was very lucky.