Today is the 49th anniversary of the Birmingham pub bombings. Time is no healer. Every year it is heartbreaking. It is highly emotional and draining on the physical and mental well-being of the bereaved.
None of us were offered or given any support in 1974. Not even up until today has any real specialist counselling being offered or provided to any of the families. However, REMEMBERING our 21, is a form of counselling for many. Our families, survivors and the community of Birmingham and beyond, come together to remember them as they were before they were taken away from us so violently.
The loss of any family member is a terrible pain to bear. At the time the depth of loss, grief and despair really felt insurmountable. How was it possible for our relatives to have walked into a pub and never saw the light of day again?
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On the night of November 21, 1974, I lost my sister. And Birmingham lost 21 members of its family. On that night, 21 people went out for a drink and none of them returned home.
At the time, nobody would have believed that bombs, placed in two pubs in Birmingham city centre, would kill 21 and leave more than 200 with horrendous physical injuries and a lifetime of emotional trauma. We must never forget any of the victims.
Tonight’s memorial event represents a chance for victims’ families to come together, to find comfort and strength in the memories of our loved ones. It is an opportunity to support each other, to bond, to share the grief that we have borne for the last 49 years and to thank the local Irish community for the ambition they have shown by establishing the wonderful memorial, and to thank them for their ongoing kindness and support.
The Tree Memorial outside New Street Station is truly poignant with a powerful message of reconciliation. Without the determination and dedication of Maurice Malone (CEO Birmingham Irish Association), Trudy, Sinead and all his staff, generous donations from the Irish community, the Department of Foreign Affairs Peace and Reconciliation Fund (Ireland), the indomitable Azhar Quaiyoom Stephen Ireland, Patrick Power and Craig Stenning of Network Rail, the Tree Memorial would not exist.
The Trees with the branches playing host to the names of those we lost, provide daily reminders of who our loved ones once were. Their memories will live on and will always be remembered because our cross communities of charity, public and private sectors in Birmingham and beyond have created a special place near to where their lives were so violently taken, so they will never be forgotten.
Everyone is welcome to both Memorials this evening. The first at St Philips Cathedral at 5.45pm. The second at the Tree Memorial that will begin at 7pm. Thank you to the Birmingham Mail for its continued unstinting support, all the staff at St Philips Cathedral for their time and generosity of spirit and of course our incredible legal team KRW LAW LLP who continue to represent us after all these years.
I would like to end with one simple message. Please, NEVER forget the victims.
Why we must never forget about the Birmingham Pub Bombings victims
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21.11.2023
Today is the 49th anniversary of the Birmingham pub bombings. Time is no healer. Every year it is heartbreaking. It is highly emotional and draining on the physical and mental well-being of the bereaved.
None of us were offered or given any support in 1974. Not even up until today has any real specialist counselling being offered or provided to any of the families. However, REMEMBERING our 21, is a form of counselling for many. Our families, survivors and the community of Birmingham and beyond, come together to remember them as they were before they were taken away from us so violently.
The loss of any family member is a terrible pain to bear. At the time the depth of loss, grief and despair really felt insurmountable. How was it possible for our relatives to have walked........
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