A new memorial for the victims of the Birmingham Pub Bombings of 1974 will be unveiled this evening (21st November) outside Grand Central (New Street Station).
The bombs which exploded at the Mulberry Bush and Tavern in the Town pubs, 44 years ago today, devastated families and left a city in shock at the deaths of 21 people, with a further 200 left injured.
The new memorial comprises a grove of sculptured metal trees with the names of the 21 victims engraved on the leaves. The artwork, designed by local artist Anuradha Patel, will be unveiled at 8pm on Wednesday 21st November.
Seating will be built into the base of two of the trees providing visitors a place to rest and contemplate.
Birmingham Irish Association (BIA), a charity providing welfare and cultural services to the Irish community, is behind the memorial and Network Rail has provided funding in keeping with its section 106 planning obligations agreed with the city council as part of the New Street station upgrade.
BIA’s executive Maurice Malone told the BBC: “Obviously 21 people lost their lives that night. I think the Irish community died that night too.
“This is our opportunity to recognise those people who lost their lives that night.
“But also offer some peace and hope and moving forward to say ‘actually these devastating events that happen to communities and cities you can recover and you can move forward’.”
Today will be the 44th Memorial where we will be unveiling our New Memorial outside Grand Central station (formerly New Street) This has only been possible because of the sheer dedication & tenacity of Maurice Malone, Maureen, Richard & Prof Schaffer @brumirish ❤️❤️❤️❤️
— Justice4the21 (@Justice4the21) November 21, 2018
Julie Hambleton who has been representing the families of those who lost their lives said: “The families have always had a dream of healing the fractured community of Birmingham that has existed since the pub bombings in 1974. This new Memorial is not only to remember those who were slain in cold blood but to illustrate how the communities in Birmingham, continue to support each other, no matter what”
