Warrington Bombings - 20th anniversary, as it happened (From Warrington Guardian)

3:27pm

Thanks for your involvement in today's events.

Here is a final reflection on the service on Saturday.

Click here for more

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DON’T forget the Peace Centre will be hosting a free conference today from 4pm with business leaders, politicians and UK government victims' commissioner Baroness Helen Newlove expected to attend.
The charity, which was set up by Colin and Wendy Parry, will be discussing a report on the financial cost of supporting people affected by conflict and political violence.
Tickets for the event are available from the Peace Centre’s website foundation4peace.org

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Here's a look at how tomorrow's front page is shaping up.

We have full coverage of the events on Saturday and today and look to the future too.
 

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THE first paramedic on the scene in 1993 said he can still remember the events that day vividly. 

Dave Chadwick, who worked for North West Ambulance Service for eight years, said: "I haven't attended other events but it was time for me to show my respects today and hopefully this will help me move on. 

"We were on the scene within a minute and then had to wait for a crew frum Runcorn so you can imagine how long it took. 

"It feels like almost yesterday and I can visualise where everybody was lying."

2:22pm

“Given the scale of the tragedy, no one would have blamed them if they had become consumed by grief. Instead they campaigned for peace and brought together the people of Warrington. That showed great fortitude and courage”

Prime Minister David Cameron

2:21pm

More on what the Prime Minister David Cameron said in the House of Commons today.

2:19pm

In the early days after the bomb, the first week, the first month, the first year, people would gather (on Bridge Strret) without announcement. It symbolises everything that's best in Warrington, that 20 years ago we declared ourselves a family. People felt it was right to gather to observe that moment today and I'm very pleased about that. It speaks of who we are and how we are.

Rev Steven Kingsnorth

2:12pm

Bridge Street looked very different 20 years ago today.

Here is another of chief photographer Mike Boden's pictures from our archive.

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We are here to recollect the moment the atrocity happened.  (The bombing) is part of Warrington's history now. Unless you understand your history you can't move forward. The way that Warrington reacted was a positive, rather than a negative.

Terry O'Neil, leader of Warrington Borough Council

1:34pm

With the coverage we have received in the media throughout the country, it brings it home how the changing in history 20 years ago in Warrington has caught everybody. I'm very pleased with the people who have gathered on Bridge Street today.

Mike Hannon, deputy leader of Warrington Borough Council

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The Duchess of Kent meets children from Stockton Heath Primary School on Bridge Street in 1993 next to the River of Life memorial.

1:21pm

MANY people in the crowd said they wanted to pay their respects on Bridge Street because they had been in the town centre on the day of the bombing. 

Jackie Austin, from Paddington, laid flowers at the memorial.

She said: “I was 15 at the time and my kids come into town now so it really hits home.”

Diane Summers sobbed during the minute’s silence as her daughter Kerry McSowley narrowly missed being caught in the explosion.

While Jean Bates, from Appleton, said she would have been in McDonalds on Bridge Street at the time of the blast if her grandchildren had not chosen to go to the Winwick Road branch instead. 

She added: "It's something I always think of and wanted to come today to remember the victims."

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It's a very sad day for us and the town.Other people got injured as well as what happened to Johnathan.I didn't sleep last night because everything was going around in my head. Johnathan will be looking down on us today.

Pauline Owen, Johnathan Ball's aunty

1:07pm

DR Stuart McNab is the director of the Centre for Research and Education in Psychological Trauma at the University of Chester.

He was also in Warrington on the day the bombing took place.

Speaking to the Warrington Guardian today he said everyone who has felt the effects of trauma from what happened that day would have an individual experience.

He added: "An event like an anniversary and the event at the weekend creates a collective experience.

"Sometimes it will be very supportive but they can also take people back to that day.

"There is a sense with anniversaries that each one is a year further away from the event but that doesn't mean there is a reduction in the feelings of trauma."

1:05pm

Around 200 people turned out for the minute's silence on Bridge Street. Some teary faces in the crowd. Wreaths were left at the River of Life memorial. 

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12:53pm

WARRINGTON South MP David Mowat reminded the House of Commons of the significance of today, when much of the country's attention is directed towards the Budget.

He asked the Prime Minister David Cameron: “Today is the 20th anniversary of the Warrington Bombing.

"The Prime Minister will recall that over 60 were killed or injured, amongst them a 12-year-old boy Tim Parry.

"Will the Prime Minister join me in congratulating Tim’s parents Wendy and Colin for their tireless campaign for peace over the last 2 decades.

"In particular, for their establishment of the Foundation for Peace  turning personal tragedy into pragmatic support for 100s in conflicts across the world."

David Cameron praised Colin and Wendy for their 'excellent work' since the bombing.

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The River of Life has been the focus of events today.

Here is the opening of the artwork which was built to commemorate the events.

HRH Duchess of Kent came to perform the opening.

12:41pm

You can get involved in our coverage of the anniversary of the bombings.

You can comment below or tweet us using the #20yearson

12:40pm

Here is the message the Queen sent to the town at the time of the attacks.

“I was shocked to hear of the bombing in Warrington on Saturday, March 20, and send
my deep sympathy to the families of the two boys killed and my best wishes for the
recovery of all those who were injured.”

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There are teary faces in the crowd on Bridge Street.

Rev Stephen Kingsnorth thanks people for their attendance

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Mayor Clr Steve Wright lays a wreath at the memorial before the silence started.

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From Twitter

Chris Allcock ‏@drift2925 9m
@warringtonnews #20yearson 2 bright stars gone but not forgotten.
 

12:08pm

Warrington has achieved so much in the last 20 years. Colin Parry's words were that good can come from evil. I believe that has happened, the start of a new beginning.

Mike Hannon, deputy leader of Warrington Borough Council

12:08pm

“I am proud of the role Warrington has played in the peace process. “It is just the DNA of Warrington to deal with things as we have done after the bombing.”

Terry O'Neill, council leader

11:54am

On the day, anxious shoppers were left in queues outside public phone boxes to speak to loved ones.

Chief photographer Mike Boden was one of the first on the scene. Here is his picture from the day.

11:48am

“It was so unexpected, so shocking, I still don’t understand why Warrington. “When it happened, Warrington could have become divided but the town came together in a way that we can all be proud of.”

Doug Hoyle, former Warrington North MP

11:38am

Reporter Hannah Bargery spoke with Colin and Wendy Parry about that fateful day.

You can read her emotional interview here

11:35am

“We can say that good has come out of evil here in Warrington though. “The work we do here in Warrington is unique. There are no other charities doing this in the way that we do it.”

Colin Parry

11:34am

Less than an hour now until a one minute's silence marks the exact moment of the anniversary.

Everyone across Warrington is urged to take part, no matter where they are

11:30am

"The emergency services did an amazing job that day. “Colin and Wendy Parry played an amazing part in the peace process and are one of the reasons there has been an enduring peace.

Mike Hall, former Warrington South MP

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The Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Rev James Jones has paid tribute to the work of Colin and Wendy Parry.

Hesaid “The 20th anniversary reminds us of the devastation and the tragic killing of Tim Parry and Johnathan Ball.

"The work of Colin and Wendy Parry and the creation of the Warrington Peace Centre are testimony to humanity’s indomitable spirit and the determination of the people not to allow tragedy to triumph.

"We hold the town, the Peace Centre and the Parry and Ball families in our prayers as they cherish the love of Tim and Johnathan.”

11:09am

Warrington Guardian editor Nicola Priest has been speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside this morning about her memories of the day.

She remembered calling her husband from the Guardian offices on Bridge Street to say she was safe on the day.

And she praised the work of the Peace Centre since

10:52am

A FOCUS on neighbourhood policing means atrocities like the IRA attack are less likely to happen, according to a leading police officer.
Sarah Boycott is Chief Superintendent for Cheshire Police in Warrington.
She said that concentrating on community issues means residents become familiar with police and are more likely to pass on information regarding major threats.
“Neighbourhood policing is important for two reasons - it supports the community and encourages the community to give us information.
“The trust in the police is really important so they can tell us about those issues.
“Its people in the community that will know if something is happening out of character.
“If they are happy to pass on information, they can tell us things that will help prevent major incidents as well.”
Chf Sup Boycott was at the IRA bomb memorial service and added ‘I was proud to be here on Saturday - my emphasis is on how we have moved forward since that day’.

10:42am

We have a special section on our website full of reports from those involved and pictures.

You can also read a timeline of events and a history of the troubles in Ireland.

Click here for more

10:29am

Church leaders have been speaking out on the anniversary.

The Bishop of Warrington, the Rt Rev Richard Blackburn who attended the anniversary commemorations on Saturday said: “Despite twenty years passing the Warrington bombing must remind us of our constant quest for peace. So as we remember Johnathan and Tim we thank God for the work of the Peace Centre established in their memory”

10:26am

THE Peace Centre will be hosting a free conference today with business leaders, politicians and UK government victims' commissioner Baroness Helen Newlove expected to attend.
‘The cost of peace and the price of extremism’ will include speakers debating the economic and social risks of violent extremism and the human, social and financial cost of supporting those affected by conflict and political violence.
Tickets for the event, which starts at 4pm, are available from the Peace Centre’s website foundation4peace.org.

10:22am

A ONE minute’s silence will take place today to mark the 20th anniversary of the IRA attacks on Warrington.

It will take place at 12.27pm and council leader Clr Terry O’Neill and deputy leader Clr Mike Hannon will observe the silence on Bridge Street.

10:19am

At 12.27pm on March 20, 1993, two bombs went off in Warrington town centre, killing Tim Parry and Johnathan Ball and injuring dozens of others.

In the subsequent 20 years, Warrington has been at the heart of the peace process.

10:11am

Welcome to our coverage of the 20th anniversary of the Warrington bombings.

We will be bringing you updates throughout the day.

You can get involved by commenting on this article or tweeting us with #20yearson