Granddaughter’s designs for veteran PR man at new Port of London exhibition

Esther Johnson, the designer responsible for gifts linked to a major new Port of London exhibition at Museum of London Docklands, took inspiration from her grandfather, a retired Port of London Authority (PLA) public relations officer.

Her designs for London: Port City merchandise pay tribute to her grandad’s 27-year career at the PLA.

Roy Johnson’s work promoting the port, from 1956 to 1983, covered exhibitions, the production of books, guides, films and photography, as well as school visits and community talks. He lives in Rainham, Kent.

Esther, who lives in Medway, said: “For as long as I can remember, Grandad has loved sharing his stories about working for the PLA – including a number of helicopter filming missions over the river.

“The connection with him has made work on this range, my first for the Museum of London, a real honour. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“My aim with the design was to reflect the wide variety of goods handled in the port, including animals, spices and wine.

“I was also particularly keen to incorporate the fantastic picture from the PLA archive at the museum, showing port police officers jumping into the river in a training exercise.”

In honour of his time at the PLA, Esther has woven Roy’s initials, RDJ. into the designs – on the side of a London bus, another one of his passions.

Roy said: "It is fantastic to have Esther designing the merchandise for this exhibition, which evokes so many memories for the many people like me, who have worked in the port over the years."

Roy has kept extensive notes, photos and cuttings, covering his career at the PLA, including a hand-written script he used for tours of the river.

For his 80th birthday in December 2019, Esther, who started her business, Designed by Esther, with the support of The Prince’s Trust charity, drew Roy a picture of the old PLA headquarters building, overlooking the Thames in the City of London.

London: Port City continues at the Museum of London Docklands till 8 May 2022.