A quiet gathering marked the 33rd anniversary of the Warrington bombing yesterday, as some of those affected came together in reflection rather than a formal ceremony.
There was no official commemoration in Warrington, but an informal group assembled to remember the victims and the lasting impact of the attack.
The bombing, carried out by the Provisional Irish Republican Army on Bridge Street in 1993, killed two children — 12-year-old Tim Parry and three-year-old Johnathan Ball — and injured more than 50 shoppers. Decades on, the pain remains, but so too does a sense of resilience.
Speaking at the gathering, peace campaigner Colin Parry reflected on the passing of time and the enduring legacy of that day.
“It constantly amazes me at the anniversary that so many years have gone by since that awful day,” he said. “But the fact is that, as a family, we survived, and obviously the town has come through it as well.”
Parry spoke candidly about the absence of any guide for coping with such loss.
“There was no script, there was no book to read to tell you how to deal with the death of a child — certainly not the death of a child from a bomb attack. So we’ve done our best to maintain the boys’ names and enshrine them as best we could.”
That effort led to the creation of the Peace Foundation and the Peace Centre, now run by the local council and used as an educational facility, particularly for children with special needs — a legacy rooted in tragedy but focused on future generations.
Despite the years that have passed, personal moments of remembrance continue to resonate. Parry noted his appreciation for a tribute published by Everton FC, a club he has supported since childhood.
“Tim’s always in our memories,” he said. “For the club to do that… it touched me greatly.”
The gathering itself was modest — smaller, Parry observed, than in previous years — yet no less meaningful for those present.
“It’s a smaller occasion as each year goes by,” he said. “But thank you for being here.”
Mayor Cllr. Mo Hussain added:”Today, as we mark the 33rd anniversary of the Warrington bombings, we pause to remember the two young lives so tragically taken and all those whose lives were forever changed on that day.
“We gather in solemn reflection, honouring Tim Parry and Johnathan Ball. Standing here we think of their families, friends, and our wider community who continue to feel the impact of this profound loss.
“Warrington’s response to tragedy has always been rooted in unity, compassion, and a deep commitment to peace. As we lay these flowers today, we reaffirm our dedication to those values and to building a future shaped by understanding, hope, and reconciliation.
“May the memory of those we lost continue to inspire us, guide us, and remind us of the strength found within our community
In the absence of official ceremony, the quiet remembrance underscored a powerful truth: while time moves on, the memory of loss — and the commitment to peace — endures.
From pure evil to the town of peace – remembering the Warrington bombing
