DC Editor Adam writes…
As regular Daily
Constitutionalists & London Walkers will know, it is my habit to update this blog first thing in
the morning, often as a prelude to a day of leading London Walks tours.
I've left it a little
later today. For obvious reasons.
It's not been the
easiest day in London.
But I know I am lucky
to have seen it.
It's not going to be the most coherent of Daily Constitutional blog posts. It's going to be fragmented. And the fragments may not even be in order. But here goes…
The late PC Keith
Palmer was the subject of many tributes, including this one from Charlton
Athletic Football Club in South London, marking the seat he occupied for many
years at The Valley…
It is with great sadness that the club has learned of the tragic death of loyal fan, PC Keith Palmer --> https://t.co/4YED5bCx7j #cafc pic.twitter.com/TQbKSrGFET— Charlton Athletic FC (@CAFCofficial) March 23, 2017
Every Londoner has
played a part over the last day or so.
The doctors and nurses
who ran across Westminster Bridge from St Thomas's Hospital yesterday to help
at the scene.
And the passers-by who
stopped to lend a hand. To do what they could.
Every Londoner who had
to explain the situation to a child - I count myself in their number – mindful
that Aysha Frade was killed on the school run yesterday.
And the police
officers all over London last night and today, going about their business. Doing
what they do, day in day out.
Every Londoner played
a part last night: Every Londoner who made the effort not to bump into another
Londoner as we jostled through the busier-than-usual West End streets; Every
Londoner who didn't take to social media with bilious hatred.
Every Londoner who got
in touch. Thanks to faraway & honorary Londoner Jeannine Lanigan…
@londonwalks Don't get to visit London as often as I'd like, but every time this happens I feel as if my own home has been attacked. #tears— Jeannine Lanigan (@pghwelshgirl) March 22, 2017
Every Londoner who
attended the vigil in Trafalgar Square tonight.
D/Commissioner Mackey “Thank you all for coming here tonight to show the true nature of our city” #WeStandTogether pic.twitter.com/kaC220w9Eq— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) March 23, 2017
Every Londoner –
visitor and resident alike - who joined us on a walking tour today played a
part, too. I was in the East End with a group this morning. A chilly wind was
whipping up from north east.
"Gather round
folks," I said to the group, "come close and keep the wind off
me!"
"And you can keep
us warm," said one of the women in the group, "with all your hot
air!"
Boom! We were all
grateful for the laughter.
Particular thanks to
every Londoner who laughed at the US TV presenter who suggested that we'd been
brought to a standstill…
@WalidPhares sure does look like London is closed. pic.twitter.com/YcSHh5Gl9o— Metin Hüseyin (@MetinHuseyin) March 23, 2017
And thanks to
President Obama. He gets us…
My heart goes out to the victims and their families in London. No act of terror can shake the strength and resilience of our British ally.— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) March 23, 2017
Last night, in the
immediate aftermath of the incident, our London Walks tours went ahead as
usual. I led the Rock'n'Roll London Pub walk and, as has become a regular
feature on this walk, we stopped at the Alley Cat Bar in Denmark Street and I
performed a few songs relating to London music stories.
Of all the acts that
are associated with this great city, I just couldn't see past Bob Marley. So I
sang Three Little Birds.
And everyone joined
in. The tiny bar was packed, and everyone sang along. I stopped playing the
guitar and they kept going. Londoners, Americans. Germans, Italians all singing
"every little thing gonna be alright"…
20 @londonwalks walkers on my Rock'n'Roll tour singing along with me "Don't worry bout a thing cos every little thing gonna be alright" ✌️❤️ pic.twitter.com/9pyoCXlTP9— Adam Scott (@AdamScottG) March 22, 2017
Have a listen to the
original. (And have a sing.)
We all did what we
could. Every Londoner played a part. That – and this blog – was mine. Thanks to
every Londoner who helped this Londoner get through this day. And thanks to
every Londoner who helped a fellow Londoner along the way.
Last word to Londoner
Angel Storey (as shared by Rick Steves)…
@RickSteves There was a spirit of compassion & unity in London today, not fear & division. Whatever they try, we will drink tea & carry on.— Angel Storey (@Acap42) March 23, 2017
A London Walk costs £10 – £8 concession. To join a London Walk, simply meet your guide at the designated tube station at the appointed time. Details of all London Walks can be found at www.walks.com.










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