7/7 + 10

It is 10 years today since a series of bombings on London’s transport network killed 52 people.

I visited the 7 July memorial in Hyde Park. It is a stark, beautiful and very poignant arrangement of 52 stainless steel columns, each one representing the individuals who lost their lives during the city’s morning rush hour. Every slender pillar is inscribed with the time and location of the attacks and link together their four locations. There is also a stone which bears the names of the 52 people.

The permanent memorial was visited by others while I was there, while three bouquets of flowers were placed by the stone ahead of the landmark anniversary. It possesses an architectural purity while has a complexity of form, casting shadows with the sunlight and almost piercing the sky. It is a fitting marker of remembrance for an entire city and beyond.

Click first image to view the gallery

Tags: 10th anniversary, 52, 7 July 2005, 7/7, 7th July, architecture, London, London bombings, memorial, photography, steel columns

16 thoughts on “7/7 + 10”

andy townend on July 20, 2015 at 11:17 said:

These are very moving images and bring back some very powerful memories, I used to live in an apartment at the end of Praed Street v close to the Edgware Road station, that morning I was walking to the Tube and, on a whim, decided to take the bus instead, turned around, got on the bus and two minutes later the bombs detonated. I was lucky, unlike so many that morning. Thanks for sharing this Mike.

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- mikeosbornphoto on July 21, 2015 at 10:18 said:
  
  Thank you for sharing this, Andy. The little twists and turns of fate seemed especially acute and poignant that morning. It’s also hard to fathom where those 10 years have got to.
  
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  - andy townend on July 21, 2015 at 10:28 said:
    
    I agree, I heard so many of those stories that day, and yes, where have all those years gone. I was in a little restaurant just off Piccadilly the day before and walked through Trafalgar Square as the crowds celebrated the Olympic bid win, then that next day…wow
    
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    - mikeosbornphoto on July 21, 2015 at 10:35 said:
      
      Yes, from elation to despair in a matter of hours. Hopefully never again.
      
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      - andy townend on July 21, 2015 at 10:35 said:
        
        Let’s hope not.
        
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ckponderings on July 9, 2015 at 19:53 said:

A poignant memorial, Mike. Nice, subtle, images.

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- mikeosbornphoto on July 19, 2015 at 12:23 said:
  
  Thank you Richard, I appreciate that. I didn’t expect to be quite so struck by it.
  
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Cos on July 7, 2015 at 21:50 said:

Thank you for sharing these beautiful photos of an impressive monument. Let us not forget the 52 people.

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- mikeosbornphoto on July 7, 2015 at 21:53 said:
  
  Thank you Koos. Very much a day of reflection and I’m glad I visited the monument and appreciated its resonance.
  
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LensScaper on July 7, 2015 at 20:24 said:

A very appropriate post for today, Mike. Such a poignant day. One of my daughter’s closest friends died on the bus that was bombed and so as a family we feel we have a connection to this appalling act of barbarism.

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- mikeosbornphoto on July 7, 2015 at 21:05 said:
  
  Thank you Andy, it seemed fitting to visit the memorial for such a significant anniversary. I’m sorry to hear of your connection to what happened – I cannot imagine they appreciated what an impact this would have on so many people.
  
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dianaed2013 on July 7, 2015 at 13:02 said:

It’s so good for relatives that people are not forgotten.

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leecleland on July 7, 2015 at 09:21 said:

This looks like a very thoughtfully designed memorial and very striking in it’s simplicity. “Inscriptions” is a particularly strong image for me.

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- mikeosbornphoto on July 7, 2015 at 10:11 said:
  
  I was very struck by it as well, Lee. A simplicity with great depth. I hoped to catch a mood of thoughtfulness with these photographs.
  
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  - leecleland on July 7, 2015 at 22:10 said:
    
    You achieved that in spades, Mike.
    
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    - mikeosbornphoto on July 7, 2015 at 22:13 said:
      
      Thank you very much, Lee. I think the sense of the place was difficult not to pick up.
      
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