Manchester attack : Multi-faith vigil held in Newark

Around 200 people broke into spontaneous applause at the conclusion of a vigil that expressed solidarity with the people of Manchester following last Monday’s terror attack.

Saturday’s act of unity in Newark Market Place was a multi-faith event led by the Deputy Mayor of Newark, Mr Tony Roberts, as the mayor was away.

Mr Roberts said: "Just five days ago the city of Manchester, indeed the whole country, learned of the unforgivable devastation caused by a suicide bomber at the Manchester Arena.

"Even now it is hard to comprehend the warped and evil mind of an individual bent on destroying the lives of innocent people.

"Any act like this is appalling but when the targets are quite clearly young people and children, it is beyond belief.

"Today we have come together to mark this tragedy, to stand in unity with the people of Manchester and to show our sorrow and regret and to offer our condolences to the families and friends robbed of loved ones on that awful night.

"But we must remember that many who died and many who were injured, came from right across our nation, so the loss is ours as well as Manchester's.

"One thing we must not do is weaken our nation's resolve to fight terrorism from wherever it comes. Sadly, in the past, incidents of this kind have come from closer to home but with patience, determination, and strength of spirit, we overcame then and we will now.

"All major faiths represented here today share the same tenets of belief: compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, self-discipline and love.

"Common ground on which to build and create a unity of purpose which will defy and eventually defeat those who seek to make war on the innocents."

Mr Roberts' words were followed by a minute of silence.

The priest-in-charge of Newark, the Rev David Pickersgill, spoke, while Father Michael O'Donoghue of Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church in the town offered words of support, solace as well as blessings and prayers.

The Rev Pickersgill said people were standing in solidarity with mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, children and friends.

He said events like the Manchester attack did not just happen in Britain but around the world with regularity.

The Rev Pickersgill read the names of each of the victims whose names had been confirmed at that stage, pausing briefly as a mark of respect after each one.

After the clergy had spoken, spontaneous applause erupted from those gathered.

Among the attendees was Imam Bachtyar Pirzada from the Jamal Al-Karam institute of Islamic Studies College in Eaton, near Retford, as well as candidates for the Newark seat in the June 8 General Election.

The event was organised by the Conservative candidate, Robert Jenrick, Mr Roberts and Newark Town Council.

A book of condolence is available to sign in Newark Town Hall.