Park chosen for Sousse terror victims’ memorial
AMEMORIAL to the victims of the 2015 terror attacks in Tunisia will be located in Birmingham’s Cannon Hill Park, it has been revealed.
The monument will remember those who lost their lives in the Sousse and Bardo attacks after the British victims’ families were consulted on the plans.
Black Country student Joel Richards, 19, his uncle Adrian Evans, 44, and grandfather Pat Evans, 78, were among those who lost their lives when a gunman ran amok at a coastal resort near Sousse.
Other Midland fatalities were former Birmingham City FC player Dennis Thwaites, 70, and his wife Elaine, 69, and Tamworth mum Sue Davey, 44.
They were among a total of 38 people killed when gunman Seifeddine Rezgui went on the rampage in Port El Kantaoui on June 26, 2015.
Birmingham solicitor Sally Adey, 57, lost her life in the attack at the Bardo National Museum in capital city Tunis three months earlier.
The 2015 Sousse and Bardo Memorial follows consultations between the Government and victims’ families, with the park next to Edgbaston Cricket Ground chosen due to its central location and balance of seclusion and tranquillity as well being a place of public prominence.
Architects have been invited to submit designs for an oval-shaped 25m by 15m site that will be a place of ‘remembrance, commemoration and reflection’ with views of the boating lake.
Tobias Ellwood, Foreign and Com- monwealth Office Minister for North Africa, said: “The Sousse and Bardo Memorial will be a place of remembrance for the families of those who lost their lives in the two appalling attacks in 2015 and also a place of solace for others who were affected.
“Last year we undertook a consultation with the families and the peaceful setting of Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham has been selected as the most suitable location for the memorial.
“We are now inviting expressions of interest to design a memorial that would be a fitting tribute to all those caught up in these horrific events.”
The winning design will be chosen by a Creative Panel including representatives from Victim Support, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Midlands Art Centre and Birmingham City Council.
Cllr Lisa Trickett, Birmingham City Council’s cabinet member for clean streets, recycling and environment, said: “Cannon Hill Park is a beautiful park at the heart of our diverse city and we are honoured that the families of the victims of this terrible massacre have chosen it as the place for their memorial.
“I look forward to seeing the design and hope that it will in some small way help the families directly affected, whilst also providing a space for everyone to remember, commemorate and reflect.”
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