President of Ireland visits Warrington Peace Centre

THE President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins was full of praise for Warrington’s Peace Centre when he visited to see first hand the work of the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace.

The President was visiting the Centre established in memory of the two boys killed by a terrorist bombing in Warrington in 1993 as guests of Colin Parry OBE and Wendy Parry, OBE, who set up the charity.

Other guests included The Queen’s representative, David Briggs, M.B.E., the Lord-Lieutenant of Cheshire, Warrington’s Mayor and first citizen of Warrington, Cllr Geoff Settle and Patrons and Trustees and others who have worked hard to support the ongoing work of the peace centre.

The Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace is now an international charity working to counter extremism, support victims of terrorism and promote peace building.

The Foundation receives funding from the Irish Government’s Reconciliation Fund run by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and is one of the few organisations based in Great Britain that is funded to undertake reconciliation and peace work related to ‘the Troubles.’

Colin Parry said: “We have come a long way in the twenty years since the charity was founded.
“It started with our ambition to see what happened to us never happen to anyone else.

“That resonated with the people of Ireland and we have held close and warm relations with the Irish Government ever since. We are so grateful for the financial support they give our charity.
“The work to achieve a lasting peace on our islands, and repair the damage of the past, is still what underpins our Foundation.

“Wendy and I want to continue our work, supported by the Irish Government to ensure we create a deeply reconciled and peaceful society and we are delighted the President has taken the time to provide his personal support by visiting the Peace Centre.”

During his visit Mr Higgins warned that radicalisation of young people was fast becoming one of the most significant global threats as socially isolated people were increasingly invited to turn to extremism to seek a purpose, a role and an identity.

“For all of us who are committed to the ideals of freedom, tolerance and peace, it is essential that we engage with those excluded individuals who may be drawn towards extremism and radicalisation.”

Mr Higgins was full of praise of the work of Colin and Wendy who helped set up the peace centre.

He added: “The work you do in addressing many of the root causes which lead vulnerable citizens into lives of destructive crime and conflict, including discrimination, prejudice and violence is impressive and inspiring, as are the many programmes aimed at enabling vulnerable young people to envision a different future; a future founded on forgiveness, resolution and true empowerment.”

“While a terrible and heinous act cannot, and should not, for the most moral of reasons, be dissolved or forgotten, it is only through an act of imagination and creativity that we can prevent that tragic memory from colonising the future.

“The immense space left behind by the loss of Tim Parry and Johnathan Ball has been used to build a place of healing and reconciliation – that is an achievement from which we can all draw inspiration.

“This Peace Centre reminds us of the good that can come from transactions and consequences of great tragedy, and of all that can be achieved when we remember ethically, in ways that have the potential to release us from bitterness, revenge or denunciation and allow us to move forward and achieve new beginnings.”

The President and guests toured the Centre, met members of the team and learned more about the work as they spoke with many people who the Foundation work with.

The Foundation’s first project was about the young people of Warrington, Dublin and Belfast coming together to share their differences but most importantly to understand they had so much in common.

To find out more about the work of the Foundation log on to www.foundation4peace.org