THIRTY-TWO years ago today two bombs planted in bins by the IRA went off in Warrington town centre claiming the lives of two young boys and injuring more than 50 shoppers the day before Mother’s Day.
The explosions claimed the lives of three-year-old Johnathan Ball and 12-year-old Tim Parry and sent shockwaves around the world. A third victim, young mother Bronwen Vickers, who lost a leg in the blast later died from cancer brought on by her injuries.
While there is no formal memorial service taking place today, many impacted by that day will remember the boys and those who had their lives changed forever.
The Warrington bombing was seen as a major turning point in the peace process as the town and its people responded by offering the hand of peace allowing good to triumph over evil.
Tim’s parents Colin and Wendy Parry, supported by Warrington Borough Council and church leaders, led the campaign for peace, culminating in the town’s pioneering Peace Centre as a living memorial to the two boys.
Now 32-years on the borough council is in the process of purchasing the building, which was jointly owned between the Peace Foundation and the NSPCC, to transform it into an educational centre for youngsters post 16 and post 19, with special educational needs. The sale completion is expected to go through in the next few weeks.
Colin and Wendy are now campaigning to ensure the boys names live on, on the building.
No one was ever convicted of the bombing which followed on from an earlier attempt by the IRA to blow up the gas works on Winwick Road.
