During the second world war, the Palace of Westminster was hit by bombs fourteen times. The most serious attack occurred on the night of 10-11 May 1941. On that night the Palace was severely damaged, the chamber of the House of Commons was destroyed and three people were killed. (ABOVE: Barbed wire defences in Parliament Square, and the shattered south face of Westminster Clock Tower.)

The Members’ Lobby, with the House of Commons chamber beyond. The damaged archway was the only portion not to be restored as a reminder to all members of war as the enter the chamber. The view today:

Sir Winston inspects the bomb-damaged interior of the House of Commons.

A few weeks ago the first steel column of the superstructure for Europe’s tallest building was concreted into the ground at London Bridge Station. (Images below show the progress of last few weeks).

After a decade (!) of legal, political, planning and financial (thank the Credit Crunch) struggles, there is now no turning back. The Shard of Glass will be completed by the Olympics and will become part of London’s skyline and postcards just as the Gherkin and London Eye have done before.

 (Image shows outline of Shard)

This building is as tall as the Eiffel Tower and will be as recognisable and elegant as the Chrysler building in New York – from the top you shall be able to view the straights of Dover!

I, for one, cannot wait!

Today marks just 3 years until the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games; London 2012. I have been following the huge project since 2002 when it wasn’t even certain that we would bid for the games or not. London surprised everyone by beating Paris to the grand prize in July 2005 only for our celebrations to be cut short the following day by the terrorist bombs.

Fast forward to today and it is amazing how the stadium structure is already virtually completed, as you can see in the picture, backed up by an amazing sporting performance in Beijing. Surely one of the best weeks the country has experienced for a long time – newspaper headlines were positive for a change! “The Great Haul of China!”

The Olympics in London will be spectacular - not withstanding any sporting success – the city is at the forefront of Global culture and arts, and as proved by the 2012 branding, isn’t afraid to innovate and surprise. I wouldn’t have it any other way! These games will be for the world, set in it’s greatest city; backed by 2000 years of history (even on the Olympic Park site) and a host who does things in its own unique way with nothing to prove but to have fun.