PEACE sculptures are set to be unveiled in a Warrington shopping centre to commemorate 25 years since the Warrington bombings.

Two bronze ‘peace’ sculptures will be revealed next Friday, September 21, to represent 25 years of peace following the deaths of 12-year-old Tim Parry and three-year-old Johnathan Ball who were killed after two IRA bombs were detonated on Bridge Street.

The incident also injured more than 50 people.

Intended to represent the road travelled towards peace and reconciliation since the attack, the project is the culmination of five year’s work behind the scenes led by Orford councillor Mike Hannon.

It was Cllr Hannon who, in the aftermath of the tragedy, pushed to bring colour and communal space back to the town centre, and who pulled together a group of willing people to provide the River of Life on Bridge Street.

Early in 2013 artists Andy Shaw and Sharon Kelly were approached by Penketh South Primary School head teacher Angela Grace, with a proposal to work with 20 other primary schools to create a mural focusing on the theme of love, hope, peace and reconciliation.

The children’s artwork became the inspiration for the two bronze sculptures: ‘Pocket full of love’ and ‘Rainbow of hope’.

Cllr Hannon said: “This year, with the 25th anniversary commemoration and the recent TV drama, has for many people brought back memories of Warrington and the terrible events of 1993.

"For many other people those memories will never go away.

Warrington Guardian:

Cllr Hannon at the service to mark the 20th anniversary

“The story of our journey since then has been one of peace and reconciliation, and that’s what these sculptures represent.

“Angela Grace and the schoolchildren have been inspirational, and even though the children involved will now be at secondary school we’d love to see them come along to Golden Square for the unveiling.

“Children’s concepts have turned into creation thanks to Andrew Shaw from Fine Art Studios, and the support from The Holroyd Foundation, Warrington Borough Council and Golden Square itself has been invaluable.

“The location within Golden Square has a large footfall, and hopefully many people who pass-by will take time out of their busy lives to pause and reflect when they see the installation.”

Sited close to the Golden Square escalators, the sculptures will be unveiled at 5pm in a public event.