10 of the most defining moments of the decade in Warrington

It has been a decade of heartbreak, tragedy, triumph and success.

So here are our top most defining moments of the past 10 years.

2010 > STEVEN BIRDSALL AND TOM SEPHTON >

The summer of 2010 was one of incredible sorrow for Warrington.

Within weeks, two former Great Sankey High School pupils were killed serving their country in Afghanistan.

Steven Birdsall's funeral

Steven Birdsall and Tom Sephton both died on the front line.

The last call soldier Tom made to his family was to pass on his condolences to the parents of his school friend Marine Steven Birdsall.

Tom Sephton's funeral, weeks later

The funerals of both were held in St Elphin's Church amid an outpouring of grief in Warrington

2010 > WIRE WIN AT WEMBLEY

It has been a remarkable 10 years for Warrington Wolves.

For a club starved of success, it saw three Challenge Cup wins at Wembley, two league leaders crowns and four losing Grand Final appearances.

There was also a World Club win over the might Brisbane Broncos.

But perhaps the biggest moment came early in 2010, a dominant 30-6 win over the all conquering Leeds Rhinos.

2012 > QUEEN OPENS ORFORD HUB

The Queen has not been a regular visitor to Warrington in her years on the throne.

So her 2012 visit (the only one this century) was especially fitting.

Thousands gathered in the Orford Jubilee Hub to welcome her Majesty on its opening day.

Along with the Duke Of Edinburgh, she toured the facility, seeing the new gym and swimming pool

2012 > OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY

The London Olympics was one of the moments of the decade nationally.

And a little of that gold dust was sprinkled in Warrington in May.

An estimated 40,000 people were on the streets of the town centre as the torch was taken on a tour of Warrington.

Despite the wet weather, people got into the Olympic spirit for the day

2012 > SHAFILEA'S PARENTS JAILED FOR HER MURDER

The summer of 2012 was dominated by the trial of Shafilea Ahmed's parents, Iftikhar and Farzana.

They were found guilty of killing their daughter Shafilea and then hiding the truth for almost 10 years.

They were each jailed for a minimum of 25 years.

The two defendants were both found guilty after an 11 week trial at Chester Crown Court.

Since Shafilea’s disappearance in September 2003 both parents denied any involvement.

They lied to police continuously with Mr Ahmed even making a tearful appeal on Crimewatch for his daughter’s safe returned.

But the 17-year-old former Great Sankey High School pupil was already dead.

Her body had been dumped in the River Kent in Cumbria, not found until February 2004.

The court case proved dramatic, with Mrs Ahmed blaming her husband for the murder.

Guilty verdicts for both parents ended a near nine year battle for justice.

2013 > DEATH OF ELLIE JONES

One of the most tragic moments in the past decade was the death of Ellie Jones.

The teenager died after taking the drug PMA.

Despite a number of court cases, nobody was found guilty of her death.

Her mum issued an emotional appeal for her death to act as a warning sign for others and stop other deaths in future.

2015 > THE FIRE AT MR SMITH'S

Whether you know it as Mr Smith's, The Ritz or the ABC, there was no doubt the art deco building close to Bridge Foot was one of the town's most iconic.

But within a few hours one early morning, it was destroyed in a massive fire.

It was demolished over the next two days.

The site still stands empty today, providing a car park for the town centre with hopes still for a redevelopment plan.

Apartments and a hotel have been suggested. Maybe in 10 years time, the space will be filled.

2016 > VIOLA BEACH KILLED IN SWEDEN

It is hard to believe it is almost four years since members of the band Viola Beach and their manager Craig Tarry were killed in a car crash in Sweden.

The band were tipped for the top and were on their way back from their first overseas festival.

After their death in 2016, their album reached number one in the charts.

Since then, thousands has been raised for charity in their memories.

And a stage in their name was set up at Neighbourhood Weekender in Victoria Park

2018 > WARRINGTON BOMBING MARKED - 25 YEARS ON

Still the most tragic moment in the recent history of the town is the Bridge Street bomb attack of 1993.

Tom Parry and Johnathan Ball were killed, dozens were injured in the IRA terrorist act.

Two bombs exploded that day and left a strong mark.

That was remembered in a moving ceremony on the 25th anniversary of the evil acts.

2019 > CINEMA RETURNS TO TOWN CENTRE

Talk of a new town centre dominated the 2010s in Warrington.

The scheme was approved and demolition work at the old Time Square started in the middle of the decade.

Finally in the final month of the year, the new cinema opened.

Its arrival is the latest boost to the town centre.

The 2010s will be remembered for the time the Cultural Quarter finally took off and the Bridge Street development landed.