I've seen reference here and there in chats about making one's way around Whitechapel today about a local character people simply refer to as "The Nutter," who is apparently encountered on a regular basis. When I was in London last September and met Philip Hutchinson on his tour I was about to tell him about my experience of being searched by police in Mitre Square, and I'd just said, "I had quite an experience in Mitre Square yesterday" when Phil said, "Oh, was the Nutter there?" But I'm not clear on just what sort of fellow the guy is, or the things he does that give him his title.
Well, I was just thinking about another experience I had on that trip in that same week when just about to visit the Tower of London, which is right at the edge of Whitechapel, and I'll try and remember it as best I can. Sitting on a bench in the low spot outside Tower Hill tube station was a man possibly 30-ish in appearance, with long brown hair and (I think) at least some facial hair, wearing a fairly heavy long coat, and as crowds of people passed by ignoring him he was speaking to no one in particular in a very loud voice about his long and woeful experience with the British mental health care system. On and on and on he went about how he'd been victimized and exploited, obviously wanting everyone to hear him though never focusing in on any one person, just sitting there alone and pontificating. It went on for so long that I eventually got bored with it and left. He was quite articulate and well spoken but obviously had at least a couple of screws loose.
So, was that the famous Nutter? Whether yes or no, I wonder if anyone would like to post about their experiences with him.
Well, I was just thinking about another experience I had on that trip in that same week when just about to visit the Tower of London, which is right at the edge of Whitechapel, and I'll try and remember it as best I can. Sitting on a bench in the low spot outside Tower Hill tube station was a man possibly 30-ish in appearance, with long brown hair and (I think) at least some facial hair, wearing a fairly heavy long coat, and as crowds of people passed by ignoring him he was speaking to no one in particular in a very loud voice about his long and woeful experience with the British mental health care system. On and on and on he went about how he'd been victimized and exploited, obviously wanting everyone to hear him though never focusing in on any one person, just sitting there alone and pontificating. It went on for so long that I eventually got bored with it and left. He was quite articulate and well spoken but obviously had at least a couple of screws loose.
So, was that the famous Nutter? Whether yes or no, I wonder if anyone would like to post about their experiences with him.
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