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PEOPLE OF THE CITY: DAVID LINDO

The author and London Wildlife Trust ambassador on panic buying, mince pies and tin foil wrapping paper

 

What epitomises Christmas in London for you?

For me, it’s the crowds of people and also the lights – London truly comes alive at this time of year. You can usually find me panic buying things that I would not normally get as presents

What’s your earliest Christmas memory?

Receiving a toy fire engine that I actually got two years in a row. I broke it after a month so my Dad secretly fixed it and gave it back to me the following year, good as new!

What smells and tastes do you associate with the festive period?

Perfume, mince pies and mulled wine.

What is your favourite Christmas dessert?

Christmas cake. However, I am a total mince pie fiend.

What’s on your Christmas list to give and/or receive, from The Royal Exchange?

Fortnum & Mason have so many amazing goodies around the Christmas period. There’s always something that catches my eye.

What’s your Christmas gift-wrapping style?

Simple, I use recycled tin foil and newspapers with a little bit of love.

Do you have any special, unique or unconventional Christmas traditions?

I go birding on Christmas Day.

Do you own a Christmas jumper?

Good Lord, no!

What’s your favourite Christmas film?

It’s A Wonderful Life.

Do you have a favourite Christmas song?

Alexander O’ Neal’s Our First Christmas.

What signifies the start of the festive season for you?

The autumnal song of the robin.

What do you think is the best way to help others at Christmastime?

Be kind to those who need it, but also to those who think they don’t.

Known as the Urban Birder, conservationist and television presenter David Lindo has been fascinated by nature since childhood and is seldom seen without his binoculars. He joined the Wildlife Trust as an ambassador in June 2016, helping to promote the Trust’s work across London; theurbanbirder.com; wildlondon.org.uk