Keeping Warrington alive in the peace process

"THEY may have been small explosions but it was only a small bomb which killed the boys," said Colin Parry the day after Wednesday's Wilmslow bombing. His son, 12 year old Tim, died, along with three year old Johnathan Ball in the Warrington bombing in March 1993. Warrington is only 10 miles from Wilmslow.

"It's so frustrating that we can't seem to unlock the mindset of the IRA leaders who, mistakenly, believe there is some mileage to get out of this kind of thing," he said.

He is determined to stay hopeful, however, because the alternative is unthinkable. "I still believe that Warrington was a watershed, particularly in the Irish Republic, where the response from the people was very powerful. Looking back, I think the IRA would accept one of their worst mistakes was Warrington."

Driven by a will to ensure his son did not die in vain, he has worked to keep the memory of Warrington alive in the peace process. Through the Tim Parry and Johnathan Ball Trust, he has helped to break down barriers between communities from both sides of the Border, and between Britain and Ireland.

Last year he brought six children from Warrington to Dublin, Belfast and Coleraine where they met other young people from across religious and political divides. A return trip to Dublin with another group of Warrington children is to take place next month.

"It's a fantastic learning experience, especially for the English kids," he said. "If you can get to the hearts and minds of young people before adults inculcate their brains with nonsense and prejudice, then you have them for life."

The trust now hopes to build a £1 million peace centre in Warrington which young people from Ireland, North and South, could visit. The town's local authority has pledged a vacant site and local architects and builders have offered their services free.

Mr Parry says they will be seeking help locally, nationally and internationally from "anyone with a stake in peace".

"If we could complete it by the fifth anniversary of the bombing, this time next year, it would be a tremendously, poignant and powerful gesture.

In the centre of Warrington, in the pedestrianised Bridge Street, there is a permanent reminder of the tragedy, the "River of Life" memorial. Across the street, outside the Boots supermarket, a plaque marks the spot where the bomb was placed. Four years on, fresh flowers can still be found underneath.

Reactions to Wednesday's bombing in Wilmslow varied among Warrington people. Some felt anxiety others bitterness. "I can't stand the Irish," said one woman when asked how she felt now about the bombing.

Mr Alan Heeson, a neighbour of the family of Johnathan Ball, was more forgiving. The British government should take some of the blame for the failure to achieve peace. "My feeling is that there was a missed opportunity. John Major stalled on the talks process and failed to get proper negotiations going.

Until there is a change of heart from the Tories, or a change in government, he said, "I only see more people getting hurt".

For most people, however, the political issues were of minor importance compared to the healing process which still needs to be completed in the town.

"The memories fade but they are there waiting to be released again," said Ms Sylvia Stains, who had tears in her eyes as she stopped at the simple plaque commemorating Tim Parry and Johnathan Ball.

"When you think about what those children missed in life. It can't be brought back," she said. "You only hope that one day we won't have to fear any more and that we'll feel safe again."