The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Mass tribute to 22 killed in Manchester Arena
800 gather to remember victims of terrorist bombing atrocity
The 22 people who lost their lives in the Manchester Arena bombing have been remembered at an emotional national commemoration service to mark its first anniversary.
Some 800 people attended the hourlong service at Manchester Cathedral yesterday including families or friends of the victims and also survivors of the May 22 terror attack. Terrorist Salman Abedi was named as the suicide bomber responsible.
The mourners were joined by front-line responders and volunteers who helped in the tragic aftermath of the end of last year’s Ariana Grande concert.
Among the dignitaries were the Duke of Cambridge, Prime Minister Theresa May, Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon, Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable, Greater Manchester Chief Constable Ian Hopkins, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Sir Richard Leese, the leader of Manchester City Council.
A one-minute silence was held at 2.30pm with tears inside the cathedral and outside, where thousands watched on a big screen in nearby Cathedral Gardens. Photographs of those who died in the bombing were displayed on screens in the cathedral shortly before the silence.
Twenty-two lit candles on the altar represented the victims. They were made using wax from the thousands of candles left in St Ann’s Square in their memory last May.
A larger single lit candle remembered bereaved families and friends, the hundreds who were physically or psychologically injured and their families and friends, those who helped on the night and those who have assisted or supported the community in their recovery.
Officiating the service, the Dean of Manchester, the Very Rev Rogers Govender, said: “In this service we come together as people of different faiths and none, as we remember with love before God those whose lives were lost, and those whose lives have been changed forever and have to live with the terrible memories of that day 12 months ago.
“There is a land of the living and a land of the dead and the bridge between them is love.”
He added: “Everyone was loved so very dearly. They will live on through those who love them. Those lost and their loved ones will forever be in the hearts of the people of Manchester.”
In an address, the Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Rev David Walker, said: “This cathedral is here, Manchester is here and you who were hurt or bereaved 12 months ago today are forever part of Manchester and forever part of us.”
William gave a bible reading, The Gift Of Love, and readings were also given by George Herbert, a student at Chetham’s School of Music, Remsha Asif, a student at Whalley Range High School for Girls, Michelle Milner, deputy director of nursing at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, along with members of the Hindi, Muslim, Sikh and Jewish communities.
Hymns sung by the Manchester Cathedral Choir were Amazing Grace, Be Still My Soul and I Watch The Sunrise. Halle Youth Choir performed Over the Rainbow. The final blessing was given by the Archbishop of York, the Most Rev Dr John Sentamu.
There is a land of the living and a land of the dead and the bridge between them is love