Norman Schlund, Speaker’s Corner, Hyde Park 1979

Norman Schlund, nicknamed ‘The Walker’, was a well-known character at Speakers Corner in the post-war years. A homeless ex-serviceman who slept on night buses, he became a familiar figure to many Londoners for his remarkable public speaking performances. In his early days, Schlund struggled with a severe stammer, which he sought to overcome through sheer determination and practice. To help himself, he began speaking in public — initially standing on a small soap box.

Over time, Schlund developed a unique and elaborate act. No longer content with simply delivering speeches, he wove theatricality into his performances. His talks became animated, enhanced by exaggerated, well-timed gestures. His enormous hands and feet, combined with an expressive face, brought great comic effect to his routines. The sight of him delivering dramatic orations to passersby — often drawing amused crowds — made him a fixture of London street life, and an enduring example of resilience and personal reinvention.