MANCHESTER REMEMBERS
THOUSANDS of people came together online yesterday to mark the third anniversary of the Manchester Arena bombing.
Because of lockdown restrictions, they paid their tributes from a distance, although a small group attended the annual gathering at Victoria Station, close to the spot where 22 people lost their lives.
Clearly emotional, they laid flowers and held a minute’s silence.
Meanwhile, a recording of the bells of Manchester Cathedral tolling 22 times was played at 10.31pm on local radio last night. It was the time suicide bomber Salman Abedi wreaked devastation minutes after an Ariana Grande concert in 2017.
The families of those killed, as well as people who were injured and their supporters, tuned into live-streamed memorial services, lit remembrance candles at home and shared Manchester’s Bee symbol online. The Dean of Manchester, Rogers Govender, read out the names of the 22 and said it was a tragedy “forever etched in our minds”.
Leading the prayers, he said the anniversary was more poignant this year
Jan Disley
as families could not be together “for comfort and support”. Manchester Survivors’ Choir later performed at an online concert called United We Stream, with former Spice Girl Mel C as the DJ.
Figen Murray, whose son Martyn Hett, 29, was killed in the blast, said: “Before the lockdown it was really important we had connectedness.We can’t do that this year.
“I’m normally a really robust and resilient person, but I’ve had so much time on my hands I’m struggling a bit. I have noticed I am very reflective, I dream a lot.” Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said it had been a “difficult day for everyone, made worse by the fact we can’t be there to support each other in person”. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said his thoughts were “for all those grieving”. Singer Ariana also sent a heartfelt message to fans on Thursday, saying: “I will be thinking of you all week and weekend.”
And Home Secretary Priti Patel ended yesterday’s coronavirus press conference with a tribute to the 22 victims, saying: “We will always remember them.”
Emotional day...people gathered at Victoria Station, which is next to Manchester Arena, yesterday