‘I am London’ was an exhibition curated in 2016 by Historic England. The description of the exhibition, as published in the accompanying guide, states that: “London’s historic buildings and places are as much a part of the city’s DNA as the people who live and work in it.
I am London is a celebration of the capital’s unique and complex identity; as much about its scientific endeavour, cutting edge art, performance and design, politics and campaigning, as its pubs, Pearly Kings and parks. It’s a snapshot of London in microcosm, told through its people and places.
60 Londoners, each with a different story to tell, have been photographed at a historic building or place that’s special to them. Each person’s unique London story is bound up in the place they have chosen, showing the city’s heritage is inspirational, provocative, frustrating, fun, familiar, humbling and home.
We want Londoners to be alive to their heritage, to ensure that, as London grows and changes, it keeps its essential character. From Soho to Brixton, from city to suburbs, London’s great old places keep on embracing generation after generation of Londoners — in turn, they light up our city with new ideas and fresh thinking. If we lose London’s fabric and character, we will lose something very precious.”
This image shows Andy Williams, described in the exhibition guide as “Park Manager, Kensington Gardens and Brompton Cemetery, The Royal Parks”
Each Londoner was asked to provide answers to four questions. These are the answers provided by Andy Williams: Question: “Where do you go to show people the real London?” Answer: “In my role judging London in Bloom, I’ve gotten to see real grass-roots food growing spaces in the inner city. The volunteers working in these spaces build a sense of community through gardening. Those people are the real London.” Question: “If you sent a postcard from London, what view would you choose?” Answer: “Having worked at The Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill, I’d choose Primrose Hill as a view for a postcard. It’s one of the six protected panoramas across London. You can see St Paul’s Cathedral, the old historic parts of London, alongside the modern buildings like Canary Wharf.” Question: “If there was another Great Fire of London, what historic building or place would you save?” Answer: “I’d save Elizabeth Tower and Big Ben from another Great Fire. You show that to anybody and that’s London. Maybe it’s a bit clichéd but that’s a building that’s worth saving.” Question: “What do you owe London?” Answer: “I owe London the opportunity to work in such a magnificent place like Kensington Gardens. We get 11 million visits a year, with nearly half of those coming from overseas, and I have the opportunity to show them this part of London at its best.”
This is part of the Job: 2K/27173 'I Am London' Exhibition - Andy Williams, Park Manager For Kensington Gardens And Brompton Cemetery At The Royal Parks; within the Volume: VF000591 'I Am London' Exhibition; within the Series: HEC01/139 'I Am London' Exhibition; within the Collection: HEC01 Historic England
© Historic England Archive
Photographer: Redgrave, Christopher: Historic England
Water Garden, Lake, People Posed