With a couple of hours to spare in Manchester I decided to see the flower festival in St Ann’s Church.  The displays were marvellous with representations from various groups illustrating the Spirit of Manchester on the anniversary of the massacre when a suicide bomber killed himself and 22 others, including an 8 year old, as they made their way out after the Ariana Grande concert. As well as those who died, a further 800 were injured and in St Ann’s Square there are many flowers and tributes with members of the public leaving messages of hope and solidarity on the little maple Trees of Hope.
(Extra) Representing those who died are 22 golden Eterna roses in globes.  These had been specially treated and should last for many years in their glass globes and will be given to the families of those who were killed. 
Later in the cathedral where yesterday’s special commemoration service had been held were further tributes and a collage with contributions from many participants entitled “Together Unafraid”.  It was very moving to see how the different faith groups and the people of Manchester had united together with an attitude that rejected intolerance for others.