Manchester Arena bombing: Memorial opens for victims of terror attack

The Glade of Light memorial is a white marble “halo” bearing the names of those killed in the May 2017 outrage.

Families of those who lost loved ones have been able to make personalised memory capsules, containing mementos and messages, which are embedded inside the halo.

They have also been given the opportunity to visit privately before the memorial opens.

22 men, women and children were murdered by suicide bomber Salman Abedi following an Ariana Grande concert, when he detonated a bomb in the foyer of the venue.

Among those killed was 50-year-old mum of two Wendy Fawell, from Otley.

Other people from the Bradford district were also injured in the blast, while others present at the concert avoided physical injury but still bear the psychological trauma of being present at such an atrocity.

The Glade of Light memorial garden. Pic: PA

Caroline Davis, a friend of Ms Fawell and also from Otley, was hit by shrapnel and suffered a dislocated elbow as they waited to collect their children after the gig.

Eve Senior, now 18, was at the concert with her mother and little sister and suffered a catalogue of injuries including 18 shrapnel wounds and burns.

Martin Hibbert, who lived in Wibsey but relocated to Bolton shortly after the concert, was left with injuries described as the equivalent of ‘being shot 22 times at point blank range’ and suffered a T10 complete spinal injury in the attack.

The 41-year-old was stood just 10 metres away from the bomb when it detonated.

Otley mum Wendy Fawell died in the attack

The tribute is conceived as a living memorial – a peaceful garden space for remembrance and reflection, featuring plants which grow naturally in the UK countryside and have been selected to provide year-round colour and echo the changing seasons.

Around the anniversary every year, May 22, the white flowers of a hawthorn tree planted at its centre will bloom, with an official opening ceremony planned for this spring ahead of the fifth anniversary of the attack.

Manchester City Council leader Councillor Bev Craig said: “We will never forget those whose lives were lost on 22 May 2017.

“They already had a permanent place in the hearts of Manchester people. Now they have a lasting memorial in the heart of our city.

“The Glade of Light is a beautiful tribute to them and somewhere which will also have profound meaning for everyone affected by the attack.

“We hope the memorial site will be a place of peace and comfort, standing as a reminder that love is stronger than hate.”