I remember that night well. I was 17 years old and had met my friend on the evening in Digbeth and we walked up into the town. We were in the underpass under the rotunda, when we heard some lads whistling us from behind and as we turned around the first bomb went off in the Mulberry Bush, throwing one of the lads through a shop window. The ground shook, like an earthquake. My friend went into shock and I struggled to help her up the steps to the Odeon, New Street. When we reached the top of the steps, we were met by the police, who told us to run along New Street. The doors of the Odeon were flung open and people started streaming out. Although there were lots of people around, I don't recall any noise other than the sound of the bomb exploding. As we heading down New Street as instructed the second bomb went off straight in front of us. It was horrendous not knowing which way to run. I remember clearly wondering whether all the shops had bombs in them. We turned around and ran back the way we had come, crossing the road and on the corner we met my friends sister and her fiance, who were heading to the Tavern to meet friends, some of whom were killed in the blast. The shock must have then hit me because I don't remember how we got there, but someone took us to a pub by Moor Street Station, where the landlord gave us both a free brandy and ordered us a taxi to my friends house. The taxi driver refused any payment. My parents had heard on the news about the bombing and were frantic and they eventually came to collect me. My friend was Irish... and her family were treated badly by everyone over the next few months. So many years ago, yet still a fresh memory.......