Dad’s fear IRA bomb victim boys’ names could be removed
Colin ‘furious’ if peace centre redevelopment makes change
THE father of an IRA bombing victim has begged a council to keep his son’s name on a peace centre set up in his memory.
Colin Parry set up an educational charity as a memorial to son Tim, 12, who was killed in Warrington along with three-year-old Johnathan Ball in 1993.
Warrington Borough Council acquired its building as part of a scheme to develop it, but Colin and wife Wendy fear the boys’ names may be taken off.
Colin, who is chairman of the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Peace Foundation, said: “If the council take the boys’ names off the building, I will be furious.
“They can take the peace centre off because it will not be the peace centre anymore, but this place was built in their memories.”
The attack, which took place in March 1993, killed both boys and injured 54 others when two bombs detonated in Bridge Street in the town the day before Mother’s Day.
Johnathan was killed instantly and Tim, who had been in town buying Everton shorts, died in hospital from his injuries.
It was the second time the town was targeted by the Provisional IRA in a month. The first bombing, at a gas storage facility, caused significant damage but no injuries.
Colin and Wendy created the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Peace Foundation in 1995 to raise money and provide programmes to help those affected by terrorism.
A report initially went to the council’s cabinet to approve investment to develop the Peace Centre facility in June 2022.
It detailed plans to create a multi-functional site, supporting the development of a new local service offer for young people aged over 19.
It also planned for additional support for people aged over 16, and the relocation of sixth form services from Woolston Learning Village.
Colin and Wendy will continue to run the foundation, which will still be based in the same building and Colin feels strongly that the name stays the same. Colin said: “I want it to be the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball education centre. Tim and Johnathan are an important part of the town’s history.”
Warrington Borough Council are yet to confirm the fate of the name of the building, however a spokesperson said: “We are in the early stages of acquiring the building which will become a specialist SEND school.
“We are working closely with the Peace Foundation and the NSPCC.”
The boys are an important part of the town’s history