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50 years today since the Birmingham pub bombings

(38 Posts)
Luckygirl3 Thu 21-Nov-24 14:33:58

I was at uni in Birmingham. One day I was in the city and went into a shoe shop around lunchtime - it was very quiet thankfully and few people around, as the shop blew up behind me after I left and was walking off down the road - just horrifying. No-one killed thank goodness. Dreadful times.

Kate1949 Thu 21-Nov-24 14:30:34

I worked in a building opposite The Tavern. We had to look at it every day. It was an underground pub.

silverlining48 Thu 21-Nov-24 13:40:59

I remember the bombing, it’s hard to think it was 50 years ago, they pwere scary times,

Iam64 Thu 21-Nov-24 13:39:05

It was an atrocity, as were other IRA bombings and murders. Thank goodness for the Good Friday Agreement, imperfect but good enough?

eazybee Thu 21-Nov-24 13:34:03

I remember it well. I had visited the Tavern in the Town the previous weekend with a friend so I knew where it was and the basement bar. The next morning sitting in our staffroom waiting for people to come in; one was Irish; she opened the door and said,very emotionally, 'For the first time in my life I am ashamed to be Irish' which relieved the tension. No one we knew was involved, but many of us were in the habit of visiting B'ham town centre regularly and people were justifiably nervous about going back.
Such an atrocity.

Ziggy62 Thu 21-Nov-24 12:24:05

Thinking of those involved

Babs03 Thu 21-Nov-24 10:48:37

So sad and frustrating for families of those killed, my thoughts are with their loved ones today though I fear many will have died by now.
In simply punishing the wrong people at the time to get a result the real culprits got away free and clear.
😞

twinnytwin Thu 21-Nov-24 10:39:18

We were regulars in The Tavern in the Town. We had a knock on our door late that evening - it was our sister checking all was okay as we'd no phone or tv, so didn't know what had happened. Luckily we'd stayed home that evening. I also worked with a couple who were caught up in the bombing. They were both injured, but survived.

Kate1949 Thu 21-Nov-24 10:36:06

Yes eddiecat. My parents were Irish. It was very frightening.

eddiecat78 Thu 21-Nov-24 10:31:14

I have a friend who grew up in Brum. Her dad was Irish and had a terrible time after the bombing from people who assumed that ALL Irish were responsible

madalene Thu 21-Nov-24 10:27:19

No, you’re right Kate, no one has ever been brought to justice. I suspect no one will now.

Kate1949 Thu 21-Nov-24 10:13:09

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Kate1949 Thu 21-Nov-24 10:12:25

This probably isn't of much interest to many but I thought it deserved a mention. What a horrible time it was for our wonderful city. My younger sisters used to regularly drink in The Tavern in the Town. It was a Thursday. They always drank in there on a Thursday. We were frantic with worrying. They didn't have a phone. Fortunately they had decided not to go that night but knew some of those killed. I believe no one has been brought to justice.