A Year in the Life
For the last twelve months, award-winning photographer Hugh Fox has been documenting the Old Royal Naval College, capturing the passing of time through the interactions of visitors with the space. The project also includes portraits of staff and brief interviews, inviting visitors to learn more about the work that takes place behind-the-scenes to protect and conserve the heritage of the site.
Interviews by Luisa De la Concha Montes.
Richenda Fenwick, Volunteer Tour Guide
Richenda Fenwick has been working at the Old Royal Naval College since 2019.
In the interview, she talks about what she loves the most about being a tour guide, and about the ‘ceiling tours’, which were part of the Painted Hall conservation project and allowed visitors to get up close to the paintings.
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Bonnie Salih, Sales & Events Coordinator, Company of Cooks
Bonnie Salih has been working here since 1990. She started working here when the site was still a Naval College, and was closed to the general public.
In the interview, she talks about her incredible experiences, including crossing paths with the likes of actor Sir John Mills, Mick Hucknall from Simply Red and Annie Lenox from Eurythmics.
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Tracey Donnelly, Head Chef, Company of Cooks
Tracey Donnelly has been working in our kitchens since 1993.
In the interview, she talks about how she went from making breakfast, lunch and dinner for 350 naval officers a day to becoming the creative mind behind our high-end private dinners, weddings and corporate events with Company of Cooks.
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Natalie Conboy, Collections Manager
Natalie Conboy has been in charge of our collections since 2017.
In the interview, she talks about her daily tasks, and her favourite items in the collection, which include dance tickets that belonged to the ‘Wrens’, a ‘witch bottle’ with human remains and much more.
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Tess O'Flynn, Conservation Administrator
Tess O’Flynn has been working at the Old Royal Naval College since 2000.
In the interview, she describes the many things that have to happen behind-the-scenes to keep this historical site in good conditions, and about her experience overseeing the Painted Hall conservation project, which brought the magnificent interior vividly back to life.
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