‘Croydon Handbag’ by Bruce Guthrie

Introducing Bruce Guthrie dramatherapist and radio producer, a former Croydon resident now living in Bristol. Bruce is a member of The Order Of Perpetual Indulgence, a worldwide charity and activist group made up of queer people of all sexualities. Members are known as Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and have groups or “houses” across the world, including the House of the Blue Moon in Bristol, which Bruce belongs to. The Bristol Sisters were invited to the Museum of Croydon in June 2019 to visit ‘Ray’s Handbag’ and meet Ray Harvey-Amer, a former Sister known as Mother Molly of The Covent of Smouldering Embers. Bruce produced an audio programme of the meeting entitled ‘Croydon Handbag’, featuring the voices of the Sisters, Mark Goldby, Museum of Croydon staff and Ray Harvey-Amer. Recorded and edited by Bruce Guthrie, Avonside Studio. (c) Bruce Guthrie

Croydon Handbag started life as a longer documentary called So I Became A Queer Nun but having met Ray Harvey-Amer, it was obvious to me that he was the story not me.  We didn’t know it that day, but Ray was ready to relinquish his veil as he had chosen to devote his remaining energies to the queer asylum seekers’ support group and choir: Rainbows Across Borders.

I found the Bristol Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence whilst covering World Aids Day as a student radio reporter at the University of Western England. Walking in the December rain through the centre of Bristol, I witnessed the love people had for this frankly weird collection of sacred clowns.

Mid-life had been a horrid time for me. Burnt out, disillusioned by a vapid commercial gay scene and preoccupied by the demands of elderly parents.  Yet Ray was a shining example of someone who overcame trauma by doing good for others and someone who listened as much as he talked. He inspired me to remember that it’s community, friends and family that see me through the darkest times.

Bruce Guthrie manifested as Sister Niche Whimsy

Nuns have always fascinated and attracted me ever since seeing Beryl Reid frighten some in The Killing of Sister George (1968). Later I remember seeing sisters cavort at a Gay Pride event in London in the 90’s. They were larger than life and really didn’t care about conforming to the cloneish demands of how gay men were supposed to look. I like that and I’ve found myself in a committed, authentic and eccentric group of people who do good by living their best queer lives.

Having lived and worked in Croydon in my previous life as a Dramatherapist (working for the wonderful Roundabout Dramatherapy), I know from experience that many projects, initiatives and good works have flourished in the borough - not least due to the council’s commitment to giving voluntary groups space and opportunity.

My move to radio came via a career in Dramatherapy so creating the right conditions for people to share something of themselves comes naturally to me. Telling stories with other people's words is rather like carving a piece of wood. The beauty of the form comes from taking away until we hear only what's most important. For me radio works best when I can hear the intimacy and share the feeling that's being expressed. I don't consider myself highbrow as there's meaning to be found in the everyday and domestic and the places we actually inhabit.

If you’ve enjoyed Croydon Handbag, I invite you to listen to The Flapper – the history of one family told through one object and The Map of Keynsham – what really happened to our illuminated town map and my childhood sense of place. You can read more about my radio adventures at Avonside Studio.

I am particularly grateful to Mark Goldby for the laughter we’ve shared whilst working on this project. 

Bruce Guthrie
Radio Producer, Dramatherapist & Guest Blogger