Manchester has revealed how it plans to commemorate the first anniversary of the Arena bombing which killed twenty-two people and left many more injured at the end of a Ariana Grande concert.
A civic memorial service will be held at Manchester Cathedral on the afternoon of 22 May, with families of the victims among those invited,while on the evening, there will be a vigil in Albert Square, the scene of the vigil on the night following the attack.
There are plans for a “Trees of Hope Trail”, around the City Centre where people will be invited to leave messages and tributes on trees in the days before the anniversary while there are also plans for a permanent memorial to the victims.
Two days before the anniversary,there will be a minutes silence before the start of the Great Manchester Run.
Leader of Manchester Council Sir Richard Leeds said:
”The horrific events of 22 May shocked not just this city but the world.Those who lost loved ones, and those who were left physically or mentally injured, will always have a place in our thoughts and we will never forget the 22 people, including children, whose lives were taken away.
“The first anniversary of the attack will be an intensely emotional time for a great many people. Everyone touched by those events has a unique personal experience and we have tried to be mindful of this in planning a range of events.”
