MoiraCameron is a trailblazer, the first woman to hold the position of Yeoman Warderat the Tower of London. With a return to the Yeoman’s roles as Guardians of the Tower – with ultra clean keys! - what doesworking from home mean for a Beefeater at one of our most iconic landmarks?
Living andworking at the Tower of London in essence means I already WFH. In recent timesthe difference is there are less of us on duty and we don’t have any visitors, and it is strange observing socialdistancing with the families in the Tower and my colleagues whilst on duty. Weare continuously washing our hands when handing over keys or using handsanitiser to clean those keys if you can’t get tosoap and water; I don’t think they have ever been so clean!
Our officehas someone in it 24/7 and is constantly being swabbed down. We have the foamsoap which gets plastered over everything while we sing Happy Birthday twiceand then back to the start to wipe it all off. What are kids going to associate with singing that song in the future? Iknow I will be thinking of hands so dry that the print recognition doesn’t work on my phone.
Enjoyingan empty Tower
ChristmasDay is normally the only day of the year where we close completely and, I won’t lie, it is lovely to have the Tower just to ourselves. Thefirst week of lockdown felt a bit like that without the turkey. Easter weekend,which is one of our busiest and easily sees 14-16K people in each day, has beena stark reminder of the economic impact we as a business will face. In themeantime we just keep calm and carry on.
Gettingshopping has not been too much of a problem as long as you are not too fussedwhat you eat. Army rations prepare you well for this! If I see a queue I goelsewhere as I am not taking the risk. Inormally take my bike and use that time for exercise; with the streets being soquiet it’s a joy to cycle in the City. What is not so joyful is tryingto gulp in air through a mask as it’s suckedonto your face. Must get fitter. We have the moat and the wharf to exercise intoo so in that respect we are very lucky.
I miss themthough, the visitors that is, the chats, the banter, laughing with them andsharing the Tower and its history.
Ourceremonies continue
We have onceagain become Guardians of the Tower and at the main gate we chat with peoplepassing by. Believe it or not we are still being asked for pictures. I thinkthe sight of a Beefeater in uniform at the Tower gates makes people feel normal,even if just for a moment. Like everyone else maintaining important routines, theCeremony of the Keys still takes place each night. Six of us march in a smartand soldier like fashion, bearing in mind the two metre social distancing. The clock strikes 10pm, the Last Post soundsand once again HM Tower of London has been locked and secured for the night.
YeomanWarder Moira Cameron has been at the Tower of London since 2007, following a22-year career in the British Army. The role of Yeoman includes looking afterpublic visitors to the Tower and the resident ravens, as well as carrying outceremonial duties including the Ceremony of the Keys, guarding the Crown Jewelsand attending ceremonies of state.