As we approach the fifth anniversary of Guardian Cities, we’re proudest of one thing above all. In an age of division and negativity, the conversation among our readers – both in the comment threads below our pieces and across social media – is surprisingly positive and constructive.

Of course we get the odd threat, and person claiming to be the Messiah, and threat from person claiming to be the Messiah. In general, however, Cities readers have spent five years showing themselves to be supportive, impassioned, engaged in ideas, lovers of the local – and, well, nice.

Still, I wasn’t quite prepared for the email I received last month from a woman named Laura Armistead.

“There are two men who bring Christmas cheer to the Peckham area every December,” she began, referring to the south London neighbourhood. “They choose a local business and recreate the building in gingerbread. Then they make a surprise delivery to the establishment. Khans bargain store was the first followed by the Persepolis restaurant. Last year it was Cod Fellows fish and chips.”

The email ended: “It is a feel good story with no commercial benefit. The two men are Oliver Singleton and Jon Armistead. Thank you and merry Christmas.”

I replied, particularly curious at the repetition of the name Armistead, and got the following response.

“Thank you for responding Chris. I’m Jon’s mum and I live in Canada. I think what he and his partner do is so cool.”

“It seems my mom has been a bit sneaky and told you about the gingerbread tradition I’ve had with my partner over the past few years,” Jon replied when I followed up with him. “It was never something we’ve wanted to flaunt, but I don’t suppose it would hurt to share some pictures with you.”

So he did.

Jonathan Armistead and Oliver Singleton with their gingerbread replica of Cod Fellas fish and chip shop in Peckham, south London. Photograph: Jonathan Armistead

“Everyone is genuinely confused as to why we’ve made a gingerbread house for them,” Jon explained. “The first question is usually, ‘Why?’ We just thought that it would be much more interesting to make something after an iconic building in our neighbourhood.

Khan’s Bargain shop in Peckham, south London, re-created in gingerbread. Photograph: Jonathan Armistead

“When we first delivered the Khan’s gingerbread, Mr Khan’s brother received it. A nearby customer instantly went to take a photo, and he half-jokingly replied: ‘Photos are £5.’ They proudly displayed the gingerbread at the top of a display of flowers and a stuffed tiger. When we asked about it, an employee told us, ‘Boss man says it stays.’”

Inside the Persepolis gingerbread replica. Photograph: Jonathan Armistead

“Both Persepolis and Codfellas displayed theirs for a similar length of time, however Codfellas took the facade off and framed it, and it’s been preserved a little longer and displayed in their restaurant.

‘Oliver does most of the fine decoration.’ Photograph: Jonathan Armistead

“I make the plans in cardboard first, we bake the gingerbread together, and Oliver does most of the fine decoration. We assemble it together and then instantly whisk it off to its intended location. There’s always a risk that the proprietors won’t be in to receive it.

This year’s recipient: Barry’s cafe in Peckham. Photograph: Jonathan Armistead

“I work at Camberwell College of Art and I absolutely love our neighbourhood. What I love is how it feels like its own tiny city,” he said, going on to name Cravings La Carreta, Salas food truck, Steamer London, Cod Fellas and One&All Cafe as some of their other favourite spots.

It’s a local tale, but it fits with something we suspected when we started Guardian Cities in 2014 – namely, that people tend to feel particularly engaged in urban issues, especially when national politics is leaving so many cold and alienated.

Thousands of individuals and groups in cities around the world have since proved us right – pushing for safer streets, protesting the privatisation of our public spaces, fighting the ill effects of gentrification, or just offering moral support to a local business at a time when high streets are being decimated.

“Cities as big as London can sometimes feel quite impersonal, and a nice consequence of this tradition is that we end up feeling more connected to our area and some of the people here,” Jon told me. “But really, we just want to make these houses as a small expression of our gratitude.”

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