The terrorist bombings in London on July 7 were a tremendous shock to the world with international media illustrating that city’s panic and distress. But while the attack may seem far off for most Lakes Region residents, several Windham parents were especially concerned for their children who were on a field trip in the city on the day of the attack.
Twelve students, four parents and two teachers from Windham High School were on a 10-day field trip of London, Paris and the French Riviera from July 5 through July 17. They arrived in London on the morning of Wednesday, July 6 and were on a guided bus tour during the Thursday morning attacks.
According to Beth Bubier, an advisor on the trip, the group was on a bus bound for Buckingham Palace to see the Changing of the Guard when their driver told them they had to get off of the bus. The chaperones spoke with the driver and then informed the students that there had been several explosions in the subway system. At the time that was all that was known. Neither the cause nor number of the explosions was confirmed. Rumors of a broken gas line and of terrorists circulated.
“It was on the media in the US before we even knew about it,” said Bubier, a foreign language teacher at Windham High School.
Police officers told the group they needed to return to their hotel on foot. Despite not knowing what was happening around them, the students remained cool and did not panic. Josh Leeman, a senior from Raymond, recalls, “It was kind of scary, but I wasn’t really worried. The safety crews had everything under control.”
The entire atmosphere of the city was surprisingly calm to Zachary Clemens, 16.
“I was wondering why we weren’t seeing much (panic). We must have been within a mile of the explosions.”
The group walked for 15 minutes to Buckingham Palace, where the Changing of the Guard had been cancelled. They then had to walk several miles back to their hotel. All of the phone lines had been shut down and they were unable to call home. However, soon after arriving at the hotel, telephone service was restored and all were able to assure loved ones at home of their safety.
From there, they all paid close attention to the news in order to find out what really happened. Clemens said he was surprised at the contrast between the reserved British media coverage and the American coverage he is accustomed to. He recalled that they would not report any information unless it was confirmed.
“Everyone was very low-key and calm,” said Katie Foriter, 15, “They weren’t crazy like (Americans) would be.”
In fact, she said Londoners seemed to be more embarrassed for their country than anything. “The hotel manager apologized to us and felt sorry for us that we were there when his city was attacked,” said Bubier.
For the rest of that Thursday, the day after London was chosen as an Olympic site, the students were given free time to shop at the stores around the hotel, but were required to be with an adult at all times.
They also walked to Abbey Road, the street made famous by the 1969 Beatles album of the same name. The students were a little disappointed at not seeing the Changing of the Guard or taking a tour of Jack the Ripper’s old haunts, but spirits remained high and they left the next morning.
They were able to take a tour bus to Dover without difficulty and rode a ferry across the English Channel to France. After touring the French Riviera, the group returned home on Bastille Day, July 14.
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