MANCHESTER UNITED
Bells echo out across Manchester exactly a year after arena bomb that killed 22 after thousands sang ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’
THE people of Manchester fell silent as bells rang out across the city at 10.31pm to mark the exact time the lives of 22 people were taken in the arena bomb atrocity one year ago.
Chimes from the Town Hall, St Ann's Church and St Mary's RC Church rang to mark the moment Salman Abedi detonated a suicide bomb surrounded by hundreds of innocent concert goers.
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Thousands gathered in the darkness of St Ann’s Square on Tuesday night, where moving song lyrics were projected onto the side of the church.
The crowd then stood in silence, listening to the bells before breaking into a spontaneous and defiant applause.
Family and friends hugged in tears as they remembered those killed in the merciless slaughter - which made headlines around the world.
Earlier tens of thousands sang 'Don't Look Back in Anger' and Ariana Grande's 'One Last Time' as Manchester remembered those killed.
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Oasis star Noel Gallagher appeared to cheers on a big screen to introduce his anthem at the 'Manchester Together - With One Voice' event held in a packed Albert Square.
The crowds then belted out a moving rendition of the much-loved hit by by Ariana - who was starring at the venue on the night of the horrific attack.
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The emotional star later posted a moving message to her adoring fans in Manchester saying she wished she could be with them in the city for the moving occasion.
A total of 22 people were killed and more than 800 others were either physically or psychologically injured in the shocking attack.
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There was also a performance from a choir formed of the Manchester Survivors Choir, a group made up people who were at the arena on the night of the attack.
The crowds then heard recorded messages from famous names, including the current Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany and former Manchester United star Ryan Giggs.
To loud roars, Giggs said: "Manchester is a city of music and is a city of love, and we are sending out love and prayers on this emotional day."
Emotional and vibrant sing along to Ariana Grande's song One Last Time at the Manchester bombing attack commemorative event
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Manchester Together commemoration concert opens with a school choir sing 'This Is Why We Sing'
Introducing Elbow’s 'One Day Like This' the band’s singer Guy Garvey told the crowd: "It’s a wonderful thing that you’re doing. This song is set in Albert Square, where you’re standing.
"It’s about the first morning of new love. Love’s something that our city’s famous for. Go on Manchester!"
While Mani from The Stone Roses said: "One voice Manchester. Sing it up."
In other video messages, musician Johnny Marr, formerly of The Smiths, said: "I wish I was with you tonight.
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Manchester Together crowd sings along the song Love Is All You Need during tribute event
"My heart is always going to be in Manchester, always has been and always will be. I am proud to be a Mancunian. I am sure it will be an emotional occasion."
Shaun Ryder, of the Happy Mondays, said: "I am thinking of you. In fact I know I love you all big time massive. I am going to send 0161 love and peace vibes to the world."
Coronation Street actress Jennie McAlpine, hosting the concert, explained the purpose of the concert was not just to to remember the lives lost, but to show strength and unity.
"We're here to remember and our thoughts and our love are with the people who lost their lives a year ago this evening and their families," she said.
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"But we're also here because Manchester does this best: We stand together, we be strong and the one thing we do brilliantly above all else is music."
There was also a performance of Tony Walsh’s poem This is the Place, which became closely linked to the tragedy by his rendition of it at the vigil in its aftermath.
The Manchester Lesbian and Gay Chorus performed a medley of some anthems by Manchester-based acts, opening with New Order’s Blue Monday and moving onto Wonderwall by Oasis.
The Parrs Wood High School's Harmony Group, which viral last year when it played at the One Love Benefit Gig, also performed with 'Symphony' by Clean Bandit.
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Manchester Emergency Services choir sing Bridge over troubled water at the Manchester attack commemorative event
Choirs of children from Hazel Grove High School, Levenshulme High School, Newman College, Ringway Choir, St Catherine’s RC School, The Keys Federation, Trinity C of E High School and Wardle Voices sung as well.
The Bishop of Manchester David Walker told the audience: "We are a city of music so it is appropriate that we come together to let our music come to the forefront of who we are.
"Doing things together makes us stronger and makes us Manchester."
At 10.31pm, bells will ring out from buildings across the city centre to mark the moment when the attack took place 12 months ago.
Prince William and Theresa May earlier joined mourners at a service in Manchester Cathedral to pay tribute to those affected by the terror attack on May 22, 2017.
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William left the cathedral at 4.40pm following his private meeting with some of the bereaved families.
He also left a message on a Tree of Hope which read: "To all those affected you will never be forgotten.
"And to the people of Manchester my admiration for your display of strength, decency and community in the face of this unparalleled tragedy. William.";
Mrs May left shortly afterwards.
In her message she wrote: "Today we hold in our hearts the memory of those who were lost on the 22nd May 2017, their families, friends and those whose lives were irrevocably changed.
"May the kindness and fortitude we witnessed that night triumph and the great spirit of Manchester never be vanquished."
Author Lemn Sissay reads a poem in memory of the Manchester Arena bombing victims
Tears were shed ahead of a minute silence held across the country for the victims, which included a six-year-old girl and an off-duty police officer, an aunt who shielded her 11-year-old niece from the bomb.
Families of the victims, the injured and the first responders to the scene are also at an invitation-only service today in Manchester Cathedral.
There were emotional scenes in Cathedral Gardens, where the service is being broadcast, as people wept and hugged each other.
Manchester has rallied together to mark the first anniversary of the terror attack.
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Minute's silence observed in honour of the victims of the Manchester Arena terror bombing
A choir performed in St Ann's Square this morning, while hearts have been left in Exchange Square.
Others have been hanging messages of support on the Tree of Hope set up in the city centre.
Stones decorated with bees, which became the symbol of Manchester in the wake of the devastating blast, have also appeared across the city today.
The invitation-only service was laos attended by Jeremy Corbyn, Andy Burnham and the Lord Mayor of Manchester June Hitchen.
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It included a reading by Prince William from the book of Corinthians.
He said: "For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face.
“Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known.
“And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.”
The choir sang the National Anthem and Somewhere Over The Rainbow, which Ariana Grande sang at the One Love Manchester concert in the wake of the atrocity.
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The Bishop of Manchester the Rt Rev David Walker gave a lengthy address, saying: "Here in this building is where Manchester remembers a specific moment in its history.
"This place, so close to the spot where lives were lost and so many changes forever. By gathering today we have it for all the tomes to come. Manchester is here."
The hour-long service was rounded off with a final message from the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, who said: “Go forth into the world in peace.”
Healthcare choir performs the song You’ll Be There during the Manchester Arena bombing tribute Manchester Together
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The events came after Ariana sent her fans “love and light” a year after ISIS terrorist Salman Abedi slaughtered 22 people and injured 800 more at her concert.
The warped bomber detonated a homemade explosive device made of shrapnel, nuts and bolts in the arena foyer as young fans left the concert.
Ariana, 24, who returned to Manchester the month after the attack to hold a tribute concert, wrote on Twitter today: “Thinking of you all today and every day 🐝 I love you with all of me and am sending you all of the light and warmth I have to offer on this challenging day.”
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The atrocity also claimed the lives of several parents who were waiting in the foyer of the venue.
Manchester-born attacker Abedi, 22, had targeted the arena after travelling to Syria for ISIS training.
He later visited terrorist hotbeds in Germany where he liaised with fellow jihadis.
Hours after the bombing ISIS celebrated the “successful and surprising” attack and claimed it was "revenge for Mosul airstrikes".
But, speaking today Theresa May will say that Abedi’s “sickening” blast failed to “break our resolve and divide us”.
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Manchester Arena terror attack survivors Lucy Jarvis and Millie Robson talk about their injuries on This Morning
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She will add: “Such appalling acts of wickedness will do nothing but strengthen our resolve to defeat such twisted ideology.
“The resilience and determination shown by Manchester in the 12 months since is testament to that.”
The comments will come in a piece in the Manchester Evening News as the PM attends a memorial service in the city.
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