Timeline
August 2017
The Manchester Memorials Advisory Group (MMAG) was established to oversee the creation of a fitting and lasting memorial to the victims of the 22 May 2017 attack. The group consisted of civic, academic and business leaders.
November 2018
MMAG launched an engagement exercise, asking the families first, and then the public for their views on what they would like to see as part of the memorial. A design brief was put together based on this insight.
May 2019
An international design competition for designers for the memorial was launched. Applications were received from all over the world.
November 2019
The winning designers, BCA Landscape and Smiling Wolf, were selected after consultation with families of those who lost their lives, MMAG and a technical panel.
September 2020
A planning application including the Glade of Light design was submitted.
January 2021
Planning permission for the memorial was granted, along with plans for improvements to the Medieval Quarter in which it sits. More information on the Medieval Quarter Masterplan can be found on the City Centre Regeneration pages.
March 2021
Works started on the Glade of Light to prepare the site.
May and June 2021
Preparation work continued. Existing Yorkstone paving and cobbles were removed – to be re-used in the scheme or recycled wherever possible. The marble was received at the stonemason to be cut and shaped to create the central halo feature.
July 2021
The foundations for the marble halo are completed and the halo itself was crafted offsite.
August 2021
The marble Halo was built at the centre of the Glade of Light
September 2021
The pathways were paved and flower beds completed ready for the planting to begin.
October 2021
Nearly 50 trees were planted in the garden around the Halo.
November 2021
Thousands of plants and bulbs were planted into the garden around the Halo.
December 2021
Final touches were made ahead of the memorial opening to the public in the new year.
January 2022
The Glade of Light memorial opened to the public.
May 2022
Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the official opening of the Glade of Light memorial on Tuesday 10 May 2022.