Soho Pam

Pamela Jennings (1964–2012), known as Soho Pam, was a homeless English woman who became well known in Soho, London where she begged. She was much loved for her affectionate, polite manner and was the subject of artists and authors.

Early life She was born in Carshalton, Surrey, on 19 April 1964. Her siblings Michael and Susan, said that she was enthusiastic but accident-prone. She worked as a carer, shopgirl and played the bell lyre. |title=An Early Christmas Present As a homeless person, she needed £7 every day to pay for a bed in the hostel in Pimlico which she used. One exception was at the famous Coach and Horses where the landlord, Norman Balon, would chase her away. When he retired in 2006, she said, "I'll miss looking in the window to check whether he's in or not". The new landlord, Alistair Choat, was more friendly, allowing her two visits per day and inviting her to his wedding.

Artists and authors such as Clayton Littlewood featured her in their work and she sold postcard portraits of herself painted by Rupert Shrive in 2005. She gambled away her spare cash on fruit machines and by betting on dog racing but, when she had winnings, she was generous to her friends in the area. One friend who became close and looked after her was Sally Thomas. She would help Pam shop for clothes and reported that Pam became very nervous when leaving the familiar territory of Soho.

She was diagnosed with cancer by an ambulance medic outside the Bar Italia. She moved into sheltered housing in Maida Vale and had radiotherapy but died on 18 December 2012. Her funeral was at East Finchley Cemetery and then a wake was held back in Soho at the Coach and Horses. It was full to overflowing.