The day good triumphed over evil as Warrington remembers the IRA bomb attack 30 years on

THIRTY years ago today was the day former Prime Minister Sir John Major almost gave up on the peace process with Northern Ireland when he heard the devastating news about the IRA bomb attack on Warrington.

The terrorist attack claimed the lives of 12-year-old Tim Parry and three-year-old Johnathan Ball and later young mother Bronwen Vickers, who died a year later after losing her leg in the bomb last, while 56 shoppers, out shopping the day before Mother’s day, were also injured.

But seeing the way Warrington responded, helped inspire Sir John to continue the work towards the peace process and the eventual Good Friday agreement as Warrington responded with dignity and the hand of peace – leading to the creation of the Warrington Peace Centre and the charity named in memory of the young victims, which continues to help victims of terror to this day.

Sir John, who was one of the guest speakers at the 30th-anniversary event said: ” I am honoured to be here to commemorate that desperate day. I have never forgotten the moment I got the call about what happened. It is the day I almost gave up on the peace process. This was the closest I got to giving up on peace for Ireland.
“What families suffered is beyond the nightmare of any parent.
“But I could not give up, as if we did there would be more bombs, more children dying and more grieving families.
“There is always hope.”

Colin and Wendy Parry reflecting on 30 years since the Warrington bombing
Picture John Hopkins

Meanwhile, Colin Parry, with wife Wendy by his side, along with their other children Dominic and Abbie, as well as grandchildren said: “I have often wondered why Warrington?
“It was the day my 13-year-old son Tim suffered fatal injuries and died five days later. Our future changed forever that day.”
He talked how it led to the creation of the Peace Foundation which had contributed greatly to combating the spread of extremism and will continue to do so.
He said that he was hopeful that the Peace centre could become a place for children with special educational needs, while the Foundation could carry on helping victims of terrorism.

Tim Parry’s best friend Gareth Boldsworth, who runs a business based in the Peace centre and also now works in Northern Ireland a lot, paid a touching tribute to the “tall, handsome boy from Great Sankey.”
He talked about how they had got in trouble locked in the school toilets doing their hair for the school photos – a photo which had now become a symbol of peace.
He said: “I’m proud to be from Warrington, but most of all I’m proud to be Tim’s friend.”
“When I work in Northern Ireland and I say I am from Warrington, I receive love and care.
Finally, Colin and Wendy’s grandson Arthur Parry read out a poem called “World Peace” dedicated to the uncle he never got to meet.
Liverpool’s Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram and Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham were also among those present to pay their respects.