THE people of Warrington joined in remembrance of the 22nd anniversary of the IRA bombing in the town that killed three-year-old Johnathan Ball and 12-year-old Tim Parry and led to the death of Bronwen Vickers, also injuring 54 shoppers and affecting many thousands of others.
A commemoration took place in the town centre at the Bridge Street memorial led by the Revd. Stephen Kingsnorth, who represents the Warrington Borough Ministry and is the Chairman of the Town Centre Management Board.
The Mayor Cllr. Ted Finnegan attended alongside local politicians and civic leaders. Tim’s father Colin Parry, who together with his wife Wendy helped create the Warrington Peace Centre, spoke on behalf of the victims and survivors.
The ceremony ended with a minutes reflection and silence and the laying of flowers.
Tim’s mum Wendy collected water from the River of Life, a waterfall and sculpture that was erected at the site of the bombing in remembrance, and as a symbol of hope for the future.
Local artist Stephen Broadbent sculpted The River of Life, with the help of local children. He also created a special water-carrying vessel that is displayed at the Peace Centre.
Wendy and the Mayor took the water in the vessel to the Peace Centre where it watered the Peace Tree that is 12 years old and resides in the Centre grounds. The water carried from Bridge Street to the Peace Centre symbolises the ongoing work for peace and reconciliation and the watering coincides with the beginning of spring and the tree blossoming.
To find out more about the work of the Foundation log onto www.foundation4peace.org
