London Tonight Tonight

Good Afternoon all -

Well, it seems incredible, doesn't it? Can it really be four years since those atrocities ripped through the lives of so many people in our capital. So many lives ended. So many more devastated beyond repair.

If you watched the programme last night, you'll have seen the extraordinary memorial that's been erected in Hyde Park. 52 stainless steel columns to represent the 52 lives that were lost. The consensus of opinion here in the office is that it's a really striking sculpture. Like most people, I've only seen it in our pictures and it certainly appears to capture the spirit of those who died and the defiant stand we must all make against terrorism. The Prince of Wales led the official unveiling ceremony today and spoke very movingly.

But for many of the families and friends of the victims, for those who lived to tell the appalling tale... a sculpture is simply not enough. The call for a full public inquiry is getting louder - a mother who lost her son 4 years ago today gives it voice on our programme this evening.

So tonight, four years on, we'll report on the remembrance and the fight for answers.

That's not the only contentious story we have for you. You'll remember the accusations that some Metropolitan Police Officers were too heavy-handed in containment of protests during the G20 summit. You'll remember the pictures, no doubt. You'll remember that one man died - although the full reasons for that are still being investigated. However, a report by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary says the Met wasn't up to the job, that it hadn't planned properly. We'll have the low-down.

We'll also take a look round what there is to see of the Olympic Village. Okay, it's still 3 years until the greatest show on earth comes to town, but time's a-hurrying by. And even if you're not a sports fan, you'll want to take an interest in the invoice. The village will cost £1 billion... of tax-payers' money.

And there are also two, shall we say, 'lighter' stories to bring you. Firstly, a 'Spaceman goes to School'... and then 'The Biggest Thrill of All'. I'm going to leave those with you - just to whet your appetite. They both promise to make great viewing.

As does, can't believe it's here, the latest 'Harry Potter' film. Don't know about you but I love, love, love the books. And to those who say "but they're children's books", I say "thhthhththththhhhththhh" (that's a raspberry). Tonight "Potter 6" gets its premiere - aficionados will know it as the "Half Blood Prince". We're there in Leicester Square for all the razzmatazz.

So, as ever, a mixed programme. A full programme.

See you at six,

Ben & Alex.

Weather Blog

 

Good evening,

 

The stream at the bottom of our garden is looking a little (but only a little) healthier following the recent showers.

 

In the winter it's quite impressive but has lately been a shadow of its former self. This didn't, however, stop a neighbour from using it to irrigate his garden during the dry spell we've just had. It's all above board apparently. You are allowed to pump a limited amount of water per day for private use.

 

This is all well & good & presumably saves him money & is ecologically sound, but the key word is pump. The pump isn't silent. In fact for the bulk of the day on Sunday the garden was being generously watered, with the pump doing an admirable impression of a coffee grinder. For about 6 hours. It was the soundtrack of our lunch in the garden & was even audible indoors over the Wimbledon coverage. When the pump went off the silence was almost oppressive.

 

Less than a day after the watering was complete the showers arrived & the negative (& shamefully suburban) half of me is simmering with resentment that my Sunday tranquility was ruined needlessly, but the positive half of me is delighted that the weather's unsettled. It may be wet out there but at least it's peaceful.

 

That said things are improving in the second half of the week. At the moment the weekend looks changeable & if I'm honest I don't know whether that's good news or not.

 

For the rest of the day I'll work hard on regaining a sense of perspective & look forward to seeing you later with Victor Meldrew fi r mly back in his box,

 

Robin