On 22 May 2017, twenty-two people were killed and hundreds injured when a bomb was detonated at the end of an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester’s Evening Arena. It was the deadliest terror attack on British soil for a decade, with the victims including children, the youngest being eight-years-old. One year on, here is how the UK is remembering the victims.
Take part in one-minute’s silence
There will be a national one-minute’s silence at 2.30pm today, with people up and down the country stopping to remember those affected in last year’s horrific terrorist attack.
Watch the memorial service at Manchester Cathedral
At 2pm today, PM Theresa May and Prince William will attend an hour-long memorial service at Manchester Cathedral. It will be broadcast live on big screens in Manchester’s Cathedral Gardens, as well as York Minster, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral and Glasgow Cathedral. Afterwards, Prince William will meet some of the victims and their families.
See the art installation
Song lyrics chosen by the public because they allow them to reflect, inspire them or make them feel proud to be from Manchester will be projected on the pavements near Albert Square as the sun sets. It was the scene of hundreds of floral tributes in the days after the attack.
Watch the choir performance
Hundreds of singers from local choirs, including the Manchester Survivors Choir made up of victims, will come together for the Manchester Together – With One Voice concert, this evening from 7pm in Albert Square.
Join the group sing-along
Following on from the concert, thousands of people will join together for a mass group sing-along between 8.30-9.30pm. It will end after tolling of the bells at 10.31pm – the exact time that Salman Abedi detonated the bomb. Songs included are Ariana Grande’s One Last Time, One Day Like This by Elbow, Don’t Look Back in Anger by Oasis and Never Forget by Take That. It will be broadcast live on BBC Radio Manchester and Key 103, as well as over the PA systems at Manchester Airport.
Share your memories on social media
People are Tweeting about their memories of the attack, with many sharing messages of support or stories of survival against all odds, under the hashtag #ManchesterArena, #OneLove #Thinkingofthe22 and #StandingTogether.
See the laugh-out-loud play inspired by a victim
A play remembering the life of victim Marytn Hett debuted last night to rave reviews. Called ‘The Boy With The Deidre Tattoo’ it was performed by the Hope Theatre Group, with the cast playing Hett’s real life friends. It was inspired by the hashtag that trended after the attack, asking people to #BeMoreMartyn. The group have aspirations to take the play stateside following its Manchester run.
Donate to one of the charities
There are several charities which have been set up in the aftermath of last year's attack. One is the Remembering Nell Foundation was set up to remember victim Nell Jones, and aims to support disadvantaged children and young people in the North West. Another is the Chloe and Liam Together Forever Trust, in honour of victims Chloe Rutherford and Liam Curry, which helps aspiring performers and sportsmen achieve their dreams.