By James Simons-
Thousands of mourners assembled together to remember those who lost their lives in the Manchester Arena atrocity. The moving national commemoration service was held to mark its first anniversary.
The service at Manchester Cathedral included families or friends of the victims, including survivors of the May 22 terror attack.
The victims were killed at an event in which American singer, Ariana Grande, had been performing
Dignitaries present included UK prime minister, Theresa May, the Duke of Cambridge, 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.
The Right Rev David Walker, who paid tribute to the victims of the suicide bomb detonated at the end of the Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena a year ago on Tuesday.
“You who were hurt or bereaved 12 months ago today are forever part of Manchester and forever part of us,” he said.
ONE MINUTE SILENCE
A one-minute silence was observed at 2.30pm in memory of the 22 dead. Attendees were moved with tears, both inside and outside the cathedral and outside.Photographs of those who died in the bombing were displayed on screens in the cathedral shortly before the silence.
Several thousands at nearby Cathedral Gardens watched on a big screen . It was a poignant moment, when minds were cast back to the deadly night a terrorist came and just took lives at will. Twenty-two lit candles on the altar were placed to denote each one of the victims. They were very symbolic.
A larger single lit candle depicted the pin and sorrow of bereaved families and friends, the hundreds who were physically or psychologically injured and their families and friends, and those who were of any assistance on that fateful night..
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.”