Notting Hill How it was. Where's Hugh?

One of the faces I bumped into at the London Freewheel was photographer Charlie Phillips. A charming and tricky character, Charlie's spent a lifetime documenting our social history in the UK and worldwide during his travels, through his lens.

If you travel around London today, you'd be amazed to see how much life and our surroundings have changed over the years. Just like everywhere else Notting Hill has undergone fundamental changes. So much so, that it is almost unrecognisable now. The photo depicts a 'stylish lady' on Portobello road circa 1972. Despite the problems of the time, the sense of community is very evident in the scene. With many new residents now pressing to move the Notting Hill Carnival from the area, that sense of community is perhaps a little harder to find now.

Charlie can be seen at various events at the 198 Gallery in Herne Hill London, County Hall and the BFi this month and throughout Autumn.