Reading terrorist attack victims to be remembered
A service will take place in Forbury Gardens on Sunday
Last updated 20th Jun 2021
The three men who lost their lives in a terror attack in Reading's Forbury gardens a year ago will be remembered on Sunday at a special service.
Two hundred and fifty invited guests and members of the public will listen to tributes from friends and family of James Furlong, David Wails, and Joe Ritchie-Bennett.
Flowers will be laid at the bandstand just a few yards from where the men were murdered.
Children from the Holt School in Wokingham where James Furlong was a teacher will perform songs and readings.
Music will be performed by the Reading-based Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra and the Rev Sonya Wratton from Reading's Minster church will give a bible reading and lead prayers.
The service - which is expected to last 40 minutes - will be led by David Stevens, Reading's Mayor.
He told us how proud he was of how the town came together in the days after the attack:
"The different churches and communities came together, actually the muslim community leading it, saying 'this is not Reading, this does not represent us as a community' and so there was a moving service by the Abbey gateway and that wasn't prompted or directed by the council that was from the bottom up, it was organic and very moving and very impressive"
Amongst those attending the memorial service will be police officers who were first on the scene.
Local Area Police Commander Superintendent Nick John says his officers made him proud:
"Within minutes officers were on scene trying their utmost to save the lives of those who'd been injured, within minutes officers were carrying out an arrest, within minutes officers were showing support to the community and those people who were in the garden enjoying what had been a peaceful summers evening. The pride I have when I think back to those tragic events is immeasurable"
The Council say the flag outside the civic offices will be lowered to half-mast on Sunday .
In Forbury gardens three white beams of light will shine up into the sky, a commemorative symbol which will be visible for miles around.
The pathway leading to the Maiwand Lion will feature 365 lights – one to mark every day since the tragic evening one year ago.
Councillor Jason Brock, Reading Borough Council Leader, said:
“One year on, Reading will come together as a community on Sunday June 20th and, in solidarity with their families and friends, remember James, Joe and David.
“In the days which followed the horrific events of last year, Reading saw an outpouring of grief and sadness which united the local community, with support from people around the country and across the world.
“I remain extremely proud of the united and determined way in which Reading responded at the time. I am also certain it will respond in the same way one year on, whether people are attending the Memorial Service or choosing to quietly pay their respects at home.
“Our thoughts will always be with those who lost loved ones and with those injured.”
Members of the public can lay floral tributes at the Forbury Bandstand, the gardens will be open from 6am until noon on Sunday 20th June. The gardens will close at noon to allow for preparations for the Memorial Service and open to the public again Monday morning 21st June.
Live Stream
The public are invited to join the Memorial Service online via the live stream on the Council's Facebook page from 4pm www.facebook.com/Readingcouncil