If you’ve read our regular ‘My London Story’ feature in the free Time Out London magazine or online, you’ll know that there’s no end of fascinating, inspiring people in this city of ours. From activists to hairdressers, mermaids to hedge-trimmers and aviators to refugees, we’ve met some incredible Londoners this year. Here are a few of the best.
Equipped with a tail she bought online, professional mermaid Samantha Smallwood has worked all over the city.
Even before his record-breaking journey, Elephant & Castle-born Lola Odujinrin had to cross all sorts of borders.
Set up as a community food project in 2009, Forty Hall is London’s first full-scale vineyard since the Middle Ages.
Since his teenage years in west London, Ray Morrissey has been to some of the capital’s most historic concerts.
After losing the use of his legs in a climbing accident, medical lecturer Tim Marshall campaigned to open up the London Marathon to wheelchair athletes.
Since fleeing his war-torn home country, Syrian chef Imad Alarnab has cooked for refugees in Calais and is now feeding hungry Londoners to save Aleppo’s only paediatric hospital.
At the age of 50, Edwina Brocklesby was told she was too unfit to run three miles. So she entered a half-marathon – then kept going.
Ever spotted a topiary elephant in north London? It’s probably the work of the aptly named Tim Bushe, who’s spent seven years cutting suburban hedges into fantastic sculptures.
Denzil Forrester lived and painted in Hackney for 49 years, capturing the rhythms of its underground nightclubs – and the impact of police brutality on the area.
Pablo Woodward gave up his conventional life to become the Disco Bunny: a free spirit aiming to bring positive feelings to Londoners.
Forty years ago, Azad Konor led the ‘Battle of Brick Lane’, as the East End’s Bangladeshi community stood up to racism and violence.
Cultural activist Ansel Wong has spent half a century using art to fight for change, playing pivotal roles in UK Black History Month and Notting Hill Carnival.
The 100 Club is a punk institution on Europe’s busiest shopping street. Owner Jeff Horton looks back on his 34 years at London’s most legendary gig venue.
Since becoming famous as Britain’s first out Muslim drag queen, Asifa Lahore has been speaking out on LGBT+ rights and her Islamic faith.
Hairdresser Joshua Coombes started cutting homeless people’s hair to help them get their dignity back. Now he’s turning his efforts into a social movement.
We asked readers and friends of Time Out to nominate off-the-radar heroes we should all know about.
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