Manchester attack anniversary: Memorial service to remember city's victims with national minute's silence

Manchester has come together to remember the bombing that devastated the city a year ago, with a message of defiance in the face of terror.

Leading a ceremony at Manchester Cathedral, the Right Rev David Walker paid tribute to the victims of the suicide bomb detonated at the end of the Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena a year ago on Tuesday.

“You who were hurt or bereaved 12 months ago today are forever part of Manchester and forever part of us,” he said. 

On the altar behind him were 22 candles - fashioned from the thousands left behind at the memorial in St Ann’s Square last year - each representing one of the young victims. 

Another single lit candle represented the 800 left with physical or mental scars following the bombing, as well as the emergency services and the families of the bereaved.

At 2.30pm, the service paused for a minute’s silence which was observed nationwide. At the end, a crowd of hundreds who had gathered in the Cathedral Gardens to watch the service on a big screen broke into spontaneous applause.

A single balloon in the shape of a bee – the emblem of the city which in the wake of the tragedy became a symbol of solidarity – was released into the cloudless sky.

The service was attended by families of the bereaved as well as Prime Minister Theresa May, Jeremy Corbyn, Nicola Sturgeon and the Duke of Cambridge, who read out a passage from the bible and later met some of the families of the victims.

During the service, photographs of all the 22 killed were projected on to a screen in the cathedral.

Among them was 29-year-old Martyn Hett from Stockport. His mother, Figen Murray, remains too distraught to attend but his brother, Dan, a 32-year-old software developer was present along with other members of his family.

He told The Telegraph he still gets stopped by strangers in the street wishing to pay their respects and praised the “amazing” tributes to all of the victims.

“I think we've all drawn enormous strength from the outpouring of love and support from everyone, which continues to keep us going,” he said. 

Another victim of the bombing in attendance at the service was Martin Hibbert, who had gone to the concert with his daughter, Eve, and was 10m away from terrorist Salman Abedi when he detonated his device. 

Hibbert suffered appalling injuries with 22 bolts that had been packed into the bomb tearing through his body. He has been left wheelchair-bound although insists he will prove doctors wrong by walking again.

Speaking to The Telegraph outside the cathedral, the 41-year-old from Bolton said he understood why some family members of the victims found it too hard to be back in Manchester.

“I was one of the first to really talk about what happened that night and I think by doing that it has helped me come through it,” he said. “I am learning to control my thoughts and I am still taking anti-depressants but I know I have to keep positive.”

Also in attendance at the service were the grandparents of 15-year-old Olivia Campbell-Hardy who was killed in the attack. A group of extended family were in the Cathedral Gardens including 41-year-old Ragen Ellaway whom Olivia considered her “aunt”.

“Today is bittersweet for all of us and the last of the firsts,” Ellaway said. “But it is fantastic to see all this support.”

Some 7,000 knitted and crocheted hearts were also dotted around the city centre while a trail of 28 Japanese Maple trees had been planted in compost made from last year’s memorial flowers leading from the station to the Cathedral Gardens for people to hang “message of hope” on their branches.

Pauline Thompson, 71, was one of hundreds to decorate the trees. With a tear in her eye she attached a message reading: ‘You are always in my heart’. “Everybody in Manchester feels this tragedy,” she said. “It brings us all closer together.”

Singer Ariana Grande, who had been performing at Manchester Arena when the attack took place, said she was "thinking of you all".

The Bishop of Manchester the Rt Rev David Walker gave a lengthy address remembering the victims and those injured in the blast.

He finished: "This cathedral is here, Manchester is here and you who were hurt or bereaved 12 months ago today are forever part of Manchester and forever part of us."

Tears as minute's silence marked across UK

The Dean of Manchester, Rogers Govender, introduced a minute's silence.

There were emotional scenes in Manchester's Cathedral Gardens as thousands stood for the minute's silence, with many in tears. 

The silence was also marked across the country and at UK government buildings, including the House of Commons. 

Mr Govender earlier welcomed people gathered in Manchester Cathedral for the memorial service.

He said: "In this service we come together as people of different faiths and none, as we remember with love before God those whose lives were lost, and those whose lives have been changed forever and have to live with the terrible memories of that day 12 months ago.

"There is a land of the living and a land of the dead, and the bridge between them is love: The only survival, the only meaning."

He then led the congregation in prayer. The Manchester Cathedral Choir, conducted by Christopher Stokes, was joined by  the congregation singing the hymn Amazing Grace following the Dean's opening  remarks. 

MPs pay respects in Commons: 'We stand ready to continue to help that great city'

MPs have observed a minute's silence in the Commons chamber to mark one year since the bombing.

Dozens of MPs, including shadow home secretary Diane Abbott, were in the Commons to pay their respects.

Video: Andy Burnham says Manchester 'will never be broken'

Security minister Ben Wallace, speaking afterwards, said: "I want to just take this opportunity to place on record my appreciation to Andy Burnham, the mayor of Manchester, the leader of the council as well, and Chief Constable Ian Hopkins for the fantastic and amazing work they have done over the last 12 months in helping heal Manchester and bringing that community together.

"I cannot say, having visited the investigation on many occasions, how much regard I have for the police and the intelligence services doing the job of still pursuing leads and still working to keep people safe.

"I believe we have the best police and intelligence services in the world and that is why Manchester is back on its feet alongside a great community, who is determined to make sure that the spirit of Manchester lives on.

"While I'm not there with them today, many of us are, I know, in spirit, and we stand ready to continue to help that great city."

Messages of support left across Manchester city centre

Heartfelt messages of support have been left throughout Manchester city centre, as a memorial service to remember all those affected.

Well-wishers laid floral bouquets and cards in St Ann's Square, which became a focal point for mourners last year following the May 22 atrocity at the Manchester Arena.

Thousands of messages of support on cardboard tags have been attached by members of the public to 28 Japanese maple trees which form the Trees of Hope trail from the square to Victoria rail and tram station.

Among the notes were messages which read: "Thinking of you all, stay strong xxx", "Manchester we stand together. Forever in our hearts", and: "As a clever bishop said 'there is power in love"'.

Another message read: "RIP to all you beautiful angels who have all gained their wings in such a horrific vile way. Manchester will not cower away to you monsters. Spread love. Stacie xx"

A host of floral tributes were also laid at the memorial site at Manchester Victoria with bouquets from football clubs Oldham Athletic and Rochdale AFC.

Pop star Ariana Grande, 24, who had been performing at Manchester Arena when the terror attack took place, shared a touching message on social media as the families of victims and survivors prepared to mark the anniversary.

Passengers have been invited to write their thoughts and memories on Stronger Together posters at the station.

'A heart for Manchester': Thousands of stitched hearts dotted around city

More than 7,000 handmade stitched hearts are also dotted around the city centre with people encouraged to smile on the day and take them as they pass as part of social media campaign #aheart4mcr.

Choir singers to share spirit of solidarity in Albert Square

Later on Tuesday, more than 3,000 singers from local choirs will join forces and share the spirit of solidarity at the Manchester Together - With One Voice event in the city's Albert Square from 7.30pm-9pm.

Among those performing are the Manchester Survivors Choir, a group made up of people who were at the arena on the night of the fateful concert, and Parrs Wood High School's Harmony Group, whose post-attack tribute went viral last year.

Video: Manchester survivors reflect on anniversary

A mass 30-minute communal singalong finale promises to be the highlight of the concert, with songs including 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.

At 10.31pm, bells will ring out from the city's Town Hall, St Ann's Church and St Mary's RC Church to mark the moment when the attack took place 12 months ago.

Salman Abedi, 22, detonated his suicide bomb device at the end of the concert with 353 people, including 175 children, around him in the foyer of the venue.

A total of 22 people were killed and more than 800 others were either physically or psychologically injured.