Forty years after the tragic Brighton bombing that claimed the life of her father, Sir Anthony Berry, Joanna Berry has been honoured with a CBE for her unwavering commitment to peace and reconciliation. At just 27, Jo lost her father in the IRA attack on the Brighton Grand Hotel on October 12, 1984, an assault aimed at then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and her cabinet. The bombing left five dead and 34 injured.
Now 67 and residing in Frome, Joanna has dedicated her life to healing the wounds of the past. In a remarkable act of forgiveness, she chose to meet and build a bridge with Patrick Magee, the IRA member responsible for the attack, shortly after his release in 1999. Since then, they have collaborated at numerous events, promoting empathy over hatred.
Receiving the CBE came as a profound surprise to Jo. “I’m deeply honoured,” she shared. “This award recognises everyone who has supported me on my journey and stands for choosing empathy over hatred. It acknowledges a 40-year path where I decided not to hate or seek revenge.”
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In 2009, Jo founded the charity Building Bridges for Peace, which conducts workshops across the UK and internationally to foster reconciliation in divided communities. Reflecting on current conflicts such as the war in Ukraine and the crisis in Gaza, she emphasized the courage of those who refuse to succumb to hatred despite profound loss.
Jo credits her three daughters as her source of strength throughout her journey and hopes to share the investiture ceremony with them. She fondly remembers her father’s fairness and believes he would be proud of her achievements. “My mum, who passed away two years ago, would be proud too,” she added.
Alongside Jo, numerous individuals from Somerset have been recognised in the latest King’s Birthday Honours, celebrating a broad spectrum of local contributions.