Manchester marks 6th anniversary of Manchester Arena attack
Memorial services are set to be held at the cathedral and minutes silences are planned throughout the day
Last updated 22nd May 2023
Manchester is set to come together today to mark the sixth anniversary of the Manchester Arena terror attack.
22 people were killed when a bomb was detonated at an Ariana Grande concert in 2017.
The focal point for personal remembrance and reflection will be the city centre Glade of Light memorial, which was officially opened last May by the now Prince and Princess of Wales ahead of the fifth anniversary.
Civic representatives will lay a floral tribute to those who lost their lives on Monday 22 May and also remember all who were injured or otherwise affected.
Two one-minute minutes of silence will take place at Manchester Victoria Station during the day – at 12 noon and 22.31 pm, the exact anniversary of the attack. Candles will also be available for people to light.
The names of those who lost their lives will also be read out on 22 May during services at 9 am (Morning Prayers), 1.10 pm (Holy Communion) and 5.30 pm (Choral Evensong.) The cathedral will be open throughout the day for those who wish to light a candle or pray.
"Everybody dreads the month of May"
Figen Murray, who lost her son Martyn Hett in the attack told us:
"It's like Groundhog Day, every anniversary is, every May is a really dark time, everybody dreads the month of May.
"The day is actually, okay, I think it's the build-up that is really quite scary and anxiety-provoking because all your sadness, all that pain is coming back to the surface year after year, and to be honest, it hasn't changed in all those years and I don't think it will in 10 years."
She said despite the difficulty of the month, she can feel the solidarity of the city coming together:
"I think Manchester is the most incredible city to live in. The solidarity that was shown after the attack happened, the love that was shown, the kindness that continues year after year.
"The Glade of Light is something really special that is not just for the victims, it's for everybody who has been involved in the attack.
"It's a reminder of the solidarity for everybody in the city. I think a lot of people felt the attack was an attack against their city. A lot of people took it very personally and there is a very common grief."