PEACE campaigner Colin Parry says he is “delighted” that the future of the town’s iconic Peace Centre has been secured as a venue for SEND youngsters.
It follows Warrington Borough Council confirming that it will purchase the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Peace Centre to support the town’s young people with special education needs and disability (SEND).
The Peace Centre will provide a new local service for young people over 19 and additional support for the over 16s.
Colin, who campaigned for the facility with his wife Wendy in the wake of the IRA bomb attack which claimed the lives of their 12-year-old son Tim and three-year-old Johnathan Ball, said: “We have been engaged in talks with Warrington Council for many months in reaching this mutually beneficial agreement. I am delighted that the Foundation and the Council have secured 2 key goals – 1. the long-term future of the Peace Centre, and 2. the provision of a new home for SEND children”.
The Peace Centre, which was opened on March 20th 2000, the 7th anniversary of the bombing was, for many years the place where so much of the Peace Foundation’s vitally important work of helping young people, victims of terrorism and communities in conflict, was carried out. However, in recent years, much of the Foundation’s work has been delivered in schools and communities across the country and so the Peace Centre has been used much less.
The Peace Centre, which will always be a living memorial to the boys, will become a vibrant and valuable asset within the Town’s Education portfolio.
The Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Peace Foundation will retain its offices in the iconic Warrington building.
1 Comment
Excellent. Really positive and imaginative use of the building.