PEACE campaigner Colin Parry has pledged that the pioneering work of Warrington’s Peace Centre will continue to move “onwards and upwards and spread its wings” as the town remembers the 20th anniversary of the IRA bomb attack.
As Warrington remembered the atrocity which claimed the lives of 12-year-old Tim Parry and three-year-old Johnathan Ball, Colin said he had been “very moved” by the sympathetic way hundreds of people had turned out to show their support.
Admitting that he had feared a small turn out he said: “I have been very moved and impressed by the turn out from people who listened sympathetically .”
Colin, (pictured right) who together with his wife Wendy, lost their son Tim said that the pain had “dulled with time”, but the memories would never fade.
“We lost a boy of 12 who was a key part of our family and we will always remember him in many different ways, including ceremonies like this. He is always going to be part of our family – the only difference is he is no longer here.”
Moving on from the landmark 20th anniversary Colin said the work of the Foundation for Peace would continue to “move onwards and upwards and spread its wings.”
He added: “The only thing that stops us being an international charity is money. As long as we can continue to get backers we will go a lot further .”
Meanwhile former town centre minister Rev Stephen Kingsnorth, who helped lead the commemoration service, also reflected on the life changing moment which helped bring “good from evil.”
He said: “Peace work will always be ongoing. Although we have had some political successes it takes many generations for suspicions and distrust to move on.
“It is all very well getting on with friends but it is far more difficult to get on we those we don’t like.”
Rev Kingsnorth concluded that it was also important that the events that had gone on in Warrington twenty years ago had been added back on the local school curriculum.
During the commemoration service there was a minutes silence, which will be repeated again on Wednesday, March 20, in Bridge Street at 12.27pm – the exact time of the bombing.
Crowds turn out to remember
Twenty Birds of Peace are released
