Tim Parry's best friend speaks of their 'special bond' together

Tim sadly died in the blast along with three-year-old Johnathan Ball, after two bombs were planted by the IRA and detonated on Bridge Street in the town centre.

Walking through the doors of Great Sankey High on a taster day with a knot in his stomach, Gareth described the moment he met Tim, and he immediately felt okay.

“I met Tim that day and we looked so funny together. Tim was tall, fair haired, and I was small with a crew cut. We had such a good laugh on that first day.”

Only 12-years-old at the time, the pair hit it off and were inseparable best friends, playing football together, causing mischief in class and playing out after school.

“We had such a special bond,” he said.

While Tim and Gareth’s friendship was only just shy of a year, Gareth said it felt ‘like a lifetime’.

“We did so much together. We had such good times. I remember when he had his appendix out and I went to the hospital and sat with him for hours playing on his Gameboy together.”

Gary Boldsworth ,Tim's best friend, with wife Vicky and son Dylan (Image: Newsquest)

Gareth grew up in Burtonwood before going on to work for companies like Lego which enabled him to travel the world.

But five years ago, he returned to his roots of Warrington and started up his own business, Creative Hut, which specialises in encouraging children to learn about STEM.

The 42-year-old is now married with two children, both boys, and with his eldest son being 11, only a year shy of Tim’s age when he died, Gareth said he often reflects as a parent what Tim’s mum and dad, Colin and Wendy Parry, had experienced at that time.

“When I think about it, the thought of losing one of my boys, the way Colin and Wendy did, I can’t even imagine what they went through.

“Seeing the impact, they have had over the past 30 years. It is truly remarkable what they have done as parents.”

Colin and Wendy set up the Foundation For Peace centre in 1995 in memory of their son Tim and Johnathan.

Gareth not only still holds a strong bond with Colin and Wendy but is now chairman of the Peace Centre and has his company based at the premises.

Tim Parry (Image: Supplied)

“Wendy still sees me as that twelve-year-old boy that used to run around her house. She is still looking after me and still tells me off if I am not doing things right.

“I have so many people to be thankful for and Colin and Wendy are top of that list because despite what they went through with losing Tim, they still made sure I was looked after.”

Recalling the time leading up to the bombings, he said: “I still remember the Friday when he left, we said to each other ‘see you on Monday’.”

Sat in his bedroom on the Saturday, playing on the computer, he suddenly heard the announcement on the radio that a bombing had happened in Warrington.

“I remember my thought being, Tim is not going to shut up about that on Monday. Not for one moment did I think it would be Tim that would be involved in it.”

That night Colin phoned his parents to tell him something had happened.

“My mum and dad sat me down and said, ‘this is really serious’. I remember just feeling like my whole world had fallen apart.”

Gareth Boldsworth (Image: Newsquest)

Praising the school and his teachers at the time, the dad-of-two said the whole of Great Sankey High ‘came together as one’.

Tim was severely injured after the blast and spent five days in hospital fighting for his life before sadly, he lost his battle.

“The corridors were quiet; I remember the school feeling almost like a fortress.

“The head teacher did a wonderful job at the time of protecting the school.”

“What happened has shaped me as the person I am today. I don’t fall out with people or hold grudges; I treat my kids to be kind to people.”

Describing Tim as the ‘life and soul’, the businessowner summarised his best friend’s kind character in one anecdote.

He explained how as both were budding football players, they both tried out for the school football team. But Gareth was devastated when he didn’t make the cut. However, Tim pleaded with the coach until he gave his friend a spot on the team.

“He was the life and soul; he was such good fun to be around. Extremely charming but at the same time he had such a hidden kindness to him.”

After the reality had set in of what had happened, he said returning to school was a struggle.

“I wouldn’t sit next to anyone at school for ages.”

“I promised myself after what happened that I would do my best, I got my head down at school and worked hard and that was a promise to Tim.

“Every time I walk past that plaque on Bridge Street, I hold myself accountable.

“I am a lucky one, I didn’t go to town that day, I didn’t lose my life or get injured.”

The former Great Sankey student still enjoys returning to his former school as he said that is where all his fondest memories lie with Tim.

On the 30-year anniversary of the tragedy, a memorial will take place on Bridge Street in town centre and Gareth will be speaking about Tim and the memories he has of him.

“I am so proud to be from Warrington after the way it was handled. Warrington stood up in its toughest times and everyone came together.

IT was a day Warrington residents will never forget.