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15 incredibly inspiring Londoners we’ve met this year
Get to know some of the pioneers, leaders and unsung London heroes we’ve interviewed over the past 12 months
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.
My London Story: amazing Londoners you should know
1. The entertainer who fulfilled her dream of becoming a professional mermaid
Equipped with a tail she bought online, professional mermaid Samantha Smallwood has worked all over the city.
2. The south London pilot who became the first African to fly around the world
Even before his record-breaking journey, Elephant & Castle-born Lola Odujinrin had to cross all sorts of borders.
3. The ecotherapist who founded a vineyard in north London
Set up as a community food project in 2009, Forty Hall is London’s first full-scale vineyard since the Middle Ages.
4. The music fan who’s been to more than 6,500 gigs
Since his teenage years in west London, Ray Morrissey has been to some of the capital’s most historic concerts.
5. The campaigner who fought to include wheelchairs in the London Marathon
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.
6. The Syrian chef using his pop-up London restaurant to save lives
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.
7. The marathon runner who did an Ironman Triathlon at the age of 74
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.
8. The gardener who turns hedges into topiary animals
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.
9. The painter who captured the underground clubs of ’80s Hackney
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.
10. The ‘Disco Bunny’ spreading positive vibes by dancing in the streets
Pablo Woodward gave up his conventional life to become the Disco Bunny: a free spirit aiming to bring positive feelings to Londoners.
11. The Bangladeshi organiser who fought racism in the East End
Forty years ago, Azad Konor led the ‘Battle of Brick Lane’, as the East End’s Bangladeshi community stood up to racism and violence.
12. The cultural activist who helped found Notting Hill Carnival and UK Black History Month
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.
13. The promoter who’s run one of London’s greatest music venues for 34 years
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.
14. The transgender Muslim drag queen advocating authenticity
Since becoming famous as Britain’s first out Muslim drag queen, Asifa Lahore has been speaking out on LGBT+ rights and her Islamic faith.
15. The London hairdresser who travels the world giving free cuts to the homeless
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.
More inspiring Londoners
Meet the Londoners making our city a better place
We asked readers and friends of Time Out to nominate off-the-radar heroes we should all know about.