Harry Potter star Miriam Margolyes took me under her wing

It’s even rarer that spending the day with Miriam Margolyes is the first day of a new job. Yet, that’s exactly what happened to me.

Having just graduated from university in Manchester, I had returned home to the Isle of Wight to work out my next steps.

I loved doing student journalism, having just been editor of the music section of my student newspaper.

I pitched to the County Press to cover Victorious Festival in Portsmouth, and CP editor Lori Little invited me in for a week of work experience.

On the Thursday afternoon, an interview opportunity with Miriam was offered to the room in advance of her appearance at Wight Proms. With everyone else busy due to the print deadline, I took it up. 

Knowing that she was a self-confessed obsessive of Charles Dickens, I had to mention Bonchurch. I asked her whether she was planning to visit.

It turned out that she was unaware of its significance in Dickens’ life and career. We made a loose plan to go there, with Miriam taking my number. 

Following more correspondence, Lori organised for Miriam to meet historian and Bonchurch tour guide Sue Lowday, and I organised a trip to Osborne House to see Queen Victoria’s summer residence. 

Miriam loved both trips. She knew a lot of the history already and was delighted to discover the Isle of Wight’s part to play in some of her favourite historical figures’ lives.

At Osborne, she marvelled at the house, observing how busy and cluttered Victoria’s private quarters were with ornaments. 

On the terrace and in the walled garden, she loved the flowers and the sea view. From the wheelchair I was pushing her in, she grabbed a bit of lavender, handed it to me, and demanded for me to smell it.

At Bonchurch, receiving a talk on Dickens, Miriam took notes like an eager student. She read some of Dickens’ letters from Bonchurch aloud. There was barely a dry eye under that verandah. It felt very special to be in her company in an intimate and significant environment.

I was able to accompany Miriam to eat a couple of times too. She enjoyed a cottage pie lunch at the Spyglass Inn in Ventnor but was very disappointed by a lacklustre fish and chips in Cowes. 

I was also struck by how generous she was with the public. Sitting on Cowes Promenade, she spoke to everyone who passed by and said hello, and had photos too with anyone that asked. 

But most of all, she loved conversation. It was the people who spoke to her as Miriam the person, rather than Miriam the celebrity, who had the fullest conversations with the person I got to know over our trips.

Miriam loves intergenerational company, having taken lodgers into her home for decades. During her visit, we struck up a bond, and I sincerely hope we stay in touch.

I’ve just been taken on by the County Press as an apprentice reporter, and my day in Bonchurch was my first day on the job.

Miriam's generosity in that first interview may have clinched the job for me by giving me the opportunity to shine.

It was wonderful to meet Miriam and spend time with her.