This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/8137265.stm

The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 11 Version 12
Tributes paid at 7 July memorial Tributes paid at 7 July memorial
(about 1 hour later)
Tributes have been paid to the victims of the 7 July 2005 London bombings, at the unveiling of a permanent memorial in Hyde Park. Prince Charles has paid tribute to the families who lost loved ones in the 7 July 2005 London bombings, at a memorial in Hyde Park.
Prince Charles, Prime Minister Gordon Brown and London Mayor Boris Johnson joined Minister for London Tessa Jowell at the unveiling of 52 steel pillars. He said that their bravery "offered us hope for the future".
Fifty-two people died after suicide bombers detonated backpacks on board three Underground trains and a bus. Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Minister for London Tessa Jowell joined the Prince of Wales at the unveiling of the 52 steel pillars.
The victims' relatives at the unveiling said it was a "fitting tribute". Fifty-two people died after suicide bombers detonated explosives on board three Underground trains and a bus.
Architects Carmody Groarke said the 52, 3.5m (11.5ft) tall stainless steel pillars should convey the random nature of the loss of life - how it could have been anyone travelling in London that day. The victims' relatives at the unveiling said the permanent memorial, between the park's Lover's Walk and Park Lane, was a "fitting tribute".
Architects Carmody Groarke said the 3.5m (11.5ft) tall stainless steel pillars should convey the random nature of the loss of life - how it could have been anyone travelling in London that day.
The location of the memorial The location of the memorial
Mrs Jowell said that each column represented "a unique person and a unique grief."Mrs Jowell said that each column represented "a unique person and a unique grief."
She added: "Each one casts a shadow just as they do - each one standing tall and proud just as they did, and each one will in an individual way absorb and reflect light just as they did."She added: "Each one casts a shadow just as they do - each one standing tall and proud just as they did, and each one will in an individual way absorb and reflect light just as they did."
Director Kevin Carmody said the firm worked closely with the families through monthly liaison meetings to ensure the finished product was what they required.Director Kevin Carmody said the firm worked closely with the families through monthly liaison meetings to ensure the finished product was what they required.
"It took a long time to get to the strong ideas like symbolising the single and collective loss of life," he said."It took a long time to get to the strong ideas like symbolising the single and collective loss of life," he said.
It's an amazing tribute to my mum and the 51 others who were so viciously and brutally taken from us Saba Mozakka Families key to memorial designIt's an amazing tribute to my mum and the 51 others who were so viciously and brutally taken from us Saba Mozakka Families key to memorial design
He said 26 of the stelae were grouped to represent those killed on the Underground near King's Cross.He said 26 of the stelae were grouped to represent those killed on the Underground near King's Cross.
Other clusters represented Tube bombing victims at Aldgate and Edgware Road, with the remainder symbolic of those who died on the number 30 bus in Tavistock Square.Other clusters represented Tube bombing victims at Aldgate and Edgware Road, with the remainder symbolic of those who died on the number 30 bus in Tavistock Square.
"Hopefully people will have an almost magnetic propulsion towards it," said Mr Carmody."Hopefully people will have an almost magnetic propulsion towards it," said Mr Carmody.
He said it could be viewed from afar as a single entity but that as they moved closer, people would discover the significance of the four groupings and individual columns.He said it could be viewed from afar as a single entity but that as they moved closer, people would discover the significance of the four groupings and individual columns.
Though the stelae are anonymous, they are inscribed with the date, time and location of the bombings they represent.Though the stelae are anonymous, they are inscribed with the date, time and location of the bombings they represent.
"We're very happy that the families are pleased with the result," Mr Carmody added."We're very happy that the families are pleased with the result," Mr Carmody added.
A representative of the bereaved families' group said: "The memorial is a fitting tribute, honouring the 52 lives lost on 7 July 2005, ensuring that the world will never forget them.A representative of the bereaved families' group said: "The memorial is a fitting tribute, honouring the 52 lives lost on 7 July 2005, ensuring that the world will never forget them.
"It represents the enormity of our loss, both on a personal and public level."It represents the enormity of our loss, both on a personal and public level.
'Horrific events''Horrific events'
"We hope this memorial will speak to visitors so they can understand the impact of these horrific events.""We hope this memorial will speak to visitors so they can understand the impact of these horrific events."
It is located between the park's Lover's Walk and Park Lane.
The stelae are grouped to represent those killed in each of the four sitesEnlarge ImageThe stelae are grouped to represent those killed in each of the four sitesEnlarge Image
Thanks to the open casting process used to make the columns, with molten stainless-steel being poured into sand moulds, each one has a unique finish.Thanks to the open casting process used to make the columns, with molten stainless-steel being poured into sand moulds, each one has a unique finish.
Saba Mozakka, 28, from Finchley, north London, was one of six family members to sit on a liaison board during the memorial's design.Saba Mozakka, 28, from Finchley, north London, was one of six family members to sit on a liaison board during the memorial's design.
Her mother, Behnaz Mozakka, 47, a biomedical officer, was killed on a Piccadilly line train near King's Cross station while commuting to work.Her mother, Behnaz Mozakka, 47, a biomedical officer, was killed on a Piccadilly line train near King's Cross station while commuting to work.
Ms Mozakka described the memorial as "truly incredible".Ms Mozakka described the memorial as "truly incredible".
"I'm very happy. It's very poignant," she said."I'm very happy. It's very poignant," she said.
"It's an amazing tribute to my mum and the 51 others who were so viciously and brutally taken from us.""It's an amazing tribute to my mum and the 51 others who were so viciously and brutally taken from us."
Prince Charles and Mrs Jowell addressed the unveiling ceremony before the names of the victims were read out and a minute's silence was observed.Prince Charles and Mrs Jowell addressed the unveiling ceremony before the names of the victims were read out and a minute's silence was observed.
The prince then laid a wreath on behalf of the nation while the Duchess of Cornwall left a floral tribute for the families.The prince then laid a wreath on behalf of the nation while the Duchess of Cornwall left a floral tribute for the families.
In addition to the prime minister and Mr Johnson, Conservative leader David Cameron, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, former London Mayor Ken Livingstone and senior figures from the emergency services will be present. In addition to the prime minister and London Mayor Boris Johnson, Conservative leader David Cameron, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, former London Mayor Ken Livingstone and senior figures from the emergency services were present.
Back to linkBack to link