Pub Bombings: First inquest hearing due to take place

This year the Justice for the 21 group successfully campaigned for inquests to be resumed into the deaths of the 21 victims, which were opened in 1974 but never completed because of the Birmingham 6s’ convictions.Next week the first inquest hearing will take place, but the group feel they haven’t been treated fairly, having been denied public money to help pay for their legal costs.

Meanwhile state agencies including the police, ambulance service, fire service and security services who are to be involved in the inquests immediately had access to taxpayers money when the resumed inquests were announced in June.

The group say without money to fund their lawyers, it will be impossible to participate in the inquest process. But lead campaigner Julie Hambleton, who was just 11 when her sister Maxine died after after a blast at the Tavern in the Town, says today is about remembering those who lost their lives.

Today a CD will be launched called 21 today in memory of the victims, and this evening the Library of Birmingham will be lit red, white and blue.Meanwhile at Birmingham Cathedral the annual memorial service to pay tribute to those killed and injured will take place at 5:45pm, before a vigil outside the permanent memorial to the victims in the churchyard from 6:15pm.