7th July and more

Hello again,

It is four years ago to the day, 7th July 2005, since 52 people were killed and more than 700 others were injured as a result of a suicide bomb attack in London. A series of bombs were exploded on three underground trains and a double-decker bus in what was the worst peacetime atrocity in the capital. As I write, a memorial to those who died that day, is to be opened in Hyde Park, with a service to be attended by the current Mayor of London Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister and others. I remember the emotional statement made by Ken Livingstone who was still Mayor at the time, expressing his anger and defiance on behalf of the people of London. In the days that followed we went about our business in a heightened state of alert. I do not want to argue further about the rights and wrongs of what happened on 7th July and its aftermath, but simply to remember those who lost their lives that day.

On a happier note Radio Verulam celebrates two years on the air. We started broadcasting on 92.6 FM on 7th July 2007 and we are proud to provide a community radio station for St Albans and the surrounding area. Some of you may have been tuned in for longer as Radio Verulam had existed on cable but the transfer to FM and then online provided an exciting new chapter with many more listeners and I am delighted to be part of it!

Since I last wrote on these pages we have heard about the death of Micheal Jackson - I heard about it on the radio as all the years I had heard about Princess Diana, John Lennon and Elvis Presley. Andy Murray was knocked out of Wimbledon and in an emotional and epic final, Roger Federer beat Andy Roddick to win fifth Wimbledon and his 15th Grand Slam title breaking the record set by Pete Sampras. The Ashes starts again tomorrow as England take on the Australians, ironically in Wales (Cardiff) and not at Lord's - the home of cricket. Meanwhile in Moscow, President Obama and his Russian counterpart are re-negotiating the START treaty which could lead to reduction in nuclear weapons.

I will try to reflect all of this, light and shade, on my show later today. And we have an exclusive: David Bellamy will be coming on to the programme on Thursday to talk about Butterfly World. Yesterday my colleague Danny Smith did an interview with the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust. So for the best interviews, features, local news and great music, tune in every day 4pm 'til 7.

Cheers,

John B-S