London's 7/7

[Geoff Bannister]

Geoff:
As an English member of the group, I would like to thank other 
members, many of whom I think are in the US for their offers of 
prayer and support to us after the London attacks. I have now lived 
in the West Country for 11 years but, prior to that, I lived in 
London for 45 years and often passed through many of the locations 
involved. It is ironic that Kings Cross was involved as this was the 
scene of a terrible fire tragedy in 1987 when many people died.

At the moment (Saturday 07:45), the confirmed death toll is 49 but it 
is feared that 20-25 bodies still have to be recovered from the 
Piccadilly Line train between Kings Cross and Russell Square. This 
seems to be borne out by the numbers of people being sought by 
relatives.

There are eerie reminders of New York's trials on 11th September, 
especially in the appearance of photos and pleas for help on walls 
and bus stops near the blast sites. I am also vividly reminded of the 
traumatic days when we had a young family growing up during the 
height of the IRA bombing campaign twenty and more years ago.

By one of the quirks of coincidence, ex-Mayor Giuliani was in London 
on Thursday at a meeting close to Liverpool Street. He was on the 
television offering words of support and I think London's own mayor, 
Ken Livingstone has spoken at least twice with words from close to 
the heart.

We were personally greatly relieved in that our younger son, who is a 
computer consultant and is based near Liverpool Street, was on a job 
which took him out of London on Thursday.

Again, as a UK group member, my own thanks to those who have offered 
messages of comfort.