Pub bombings anniversary

A number of special events will take place in Birmingham next week to mark the 50th anniversary of the Birmingham Pub Bombings, which took place on 21 November 1974, killing 21 people and injuring almost 200.

The Birmingham Irish Association has organised a day-long workshop at The University of Birmingham Exchange Conference Centre on Wednesday 20 November. Entitled, ‘After the Terror: Peace, Reconciliation and the Troubles in Britain,’ the workshop will draw together communities from across the UK and beyond. Contributors to the conference include Jo Berry (Building Bridges for Peace), Colin Parry (Peace Centre, Warrington), Michael O’Hare (Trauma, Troubles and Tragedy), Jonny Clarke and Sylvia Gordon (Corrymeela Community), and Brian Dalton and Rosa Gilbert (Irish in Britain).

(Photo credit: Birmingham St Philip’s Cathedral)

On the 50th anniversary of the Pub Bombings, Thursday 21 November, three events are planned:

+ An informal ‘Healing through Remembering’ service will take place at Birmingham St Philip’s Cathedral, Cathedral Square, Colmore Row, Birmingham B3 2QB, from 10.00am to 11.30am. The service will be facilitated by Canon Andy Delmege (Birmingham Cathedral), Maureen Slattery Marsh (Spiritual Direction Forum) and Jonny Clark and Sylvia Gordon (Corrymeela Community). It will create space for people to call in to the Cathedral, to light a candle, to connect with their memories and to express their feelings.

+ The official 50th anniversary memorial service will take place at the ‘Tree’ memorial next to New Street Station at 1.15pm. Representatives from the city’s major faith groups will be present. Roman Catholic Archbishop Bernard Longley and Church of England Bishop Michael Volland will lead prayer at the service, which will be broadcast live on BBC Radio WM. The text at the foot of the Tree memorial reads, ‘The Leaves of the Tree are for the Healing of the Nations’ (A quote from the New Testament Book of Revelation, chapter 22, verse 2).

+ At 5.00pm, the annual Service of Remembrance will be structured into daily Evensong at Birmingham St Philip’s Cathedral. The service will be livestreamed via the Cathedral’s YouTube Channel (Link HERE).

We pray for all who still carry the wounds of the terrible events of 21 November 1974 in Birmingham. We pray for the Birmingham Irish community, for reconciliation and peace in our city, and for all who are affected by violence and war.