Final day of tributes to victims of the Manchester Arena Attack in the public inquiry

Tributes were paid to Olivia Campbell-Hardy, Jane Tweddle and Alison Howe at the public inquiry.

Author: Ellie LinfordPublished 23rd Sep 2020

The final tributes to the 22 killed in the Manchester Arena Attack have been paid in the public inquiry, as the so called 'pen portraits' come to a close.

For the last two weeks, family and friends of the victims have been sharing their personal memories of their loved ones.

It was to try and give an insight to who they were as people.

The final three tributes were for Bury teenager Olivia Campbell-Hardy, Oldham nurse Alison Howe and school receptionist Jane Tweddle.

15 year old Olivia Campbell-Hardy, Bury

Tributes to Bury teenager Olivia-Campbell Hardy continued today.

The inquiry heard how the aspiring dance teacher's family searched for hours after she didn't return home on the tram on the night of the 22nd May.

Her father, Andrew Hardy, said that would stay with him forever.

He said: "Olivia was my youngest daughter and was a daddy's girl. We were very close.

"She had a grown-up personality and a smile that would cheer anyone up.

"Her death has left us all devastated and we have found it very hard to deal with life without her in it.

"I miss her every day, her infectious laugh and all the good times we had but will never have again.''

Olivia's grandfather Steve Goodman said: "She was a joy to us and our large extended family, and she had a way of not always being well behaved but managed to turn the tables with her humour and make us laugh.

"The void in our lives is immense. Our lives have changed forever.''

51 year old Jane Tweddle, Blackpool

The three daughters of Jane Tweddle paid tribute to "our warrior mum'' at the public inquiry, saying she "treated everyone with kindness, decency and respect'' and was "the perfect listener''.

The hearing was told the school receptionist was "so proud'' of how her girls had grown and the life values she taught them.

Ms Tweddle had accompanied a friend to Manchester while her 14-year-old daughter attended the concert.

Isabelle, Harriet and Lily attended in person at Manchester Magistrates' Court as their pen portrait of their mother and tributes from other family members and friends were read by their lawyer.

They said: "Our house was always full of love and laughter. There is nothing in this world we wouldn't give to hear your voice, see your smile or hold your hand for just one minute.

"When we'd asked what time it was you'd reply 'it's the time of your life, never forget it', we'll hold on to that forever.

"You were taken too fast, mum, but you were so loved and now you rest high peacefully. We love you endlessly.

"Now we all have an angel to call by name.''

Ms Tweddle, originally from Hartlepool, worked at South Shore Academy in Blackpool, Lancashire, where she was said to be "cherished and trusted'' and "made for the job''.

Her mother, Margaret Tweddle, said: "What happened in Manchester that night was evil and we won't let evil win - Jane would not want that.''

44 year old Alison Howe, Oldham

Finally, the hearing was told how nurse Alison Howe "adored'' her husband and her "Super Six'' children.

In a video recorded message, her husband Stephen said Alison was a "fantastic'' mother to their two daughters and his four sons until the day she died as she waited to pick up one of her daughters from the Ariana Grande concert.

He said: "Since then, we have carried on with her rules and regulations. The children have soldiered on through everything and between us all we have carried on without her even though she'll be forever in our hearts and minds. Every decision we make, we always ask what would Alison have said, what would mum have said, and it's never going to get any easier.

"She really was fantastic inside and out.

"You'll never believe the impact it has had on our our family and children, as the other families.

"It's absolutely destroyed what we had in a mother and a wife. I don't think we are ever to get over this properly. I can only give credit to the way that she brought my sons and my daughters up and the strength they have got through her.''

Mrs Howe's mother, Sue, said her daughter was a talented musician from the age of five and that the pair were "the best of friends'' who saw each other nearly every day.

She said: "She adored her family. Stephen and the children were her everything. The gaping hole that's been left is unbelievable.

"We don't live any more, we just exist. Nothing will take away the pain and loss we feel. I still turn around when somebody shouts 'mum' and it's like being stabbed in the heart.''

Mrs Howe's best friend, Tracey Green, read a poem written by the nurse's stepson Harry on behalf of her "Super Six'' children.

It ended: "I don't know how you managed it. Us six, my dad and his beauty of a crew.

"So special, so wonderful, so beautiful, so true.

"If you can hear me now, Alison Howe we all love you.

"Love from Harry and your Super Six.''

Chairman Sir John Saunders thanks families

Concluding the commemorative stage of the inquiry, which is expected to continue until next spring, the chair Sir John Saunders said: "I want to say a thank you to all the families and friends of those who died for sharing their intensely personal memories of their loved ones.

"It has made clear, I hope, that the deceased and their families are at the heart of this inquiry.

"My overwhelming impression is of a group of people who for the most part were strangers, brought together only in death but who individually had brought great joy and happiness to others.

"They seem to have shared a great spirit of fun and enjoyment, and a zest for life. They were often the glue that kept their families and friends together.''

He went on: "It is important that the extent of the suffering of both the relatives and friends of those who died, and the continuing physical and mental suffering of the survivors, is properly understood because it shows why we need to get to the truth.

"My lasting thoughts are one of a huge responsibility, resting on me, on the inquiry team and all of those contributing to this inquiry to try and find answers for the families and the survivors, and provide what they most want - which is recommendations which will make it less likely that similar events will happen in the future with all the terrifying and terrible suffering that that brings.''

The inquiry continues on Monday.