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Forbury Gardens victims' memorial unveiled three years on

BBC Memorial to Forbury Gardens victimsBBC
The memorial was unveiled at the Forbury Bandstand

A permanent stone memorial to three men murdered during a terrorist attack in a park has been unveiled.

James Furlong, Joe Ritchie-Bennett and David Wails died within minutes of being stabbed by Khairi Saadallah in Forbury Gardens, Reading, in June 2020.

He was sentenced to a whole-life jail term for their murders.

Three years to the day after the attack, the town's community came together to remember the three men and those injured.

Crowds gather for Forbury memorial
A private ceremony to unveil the memorial stone was held in Forbury Gardens

The permanent memorial stone has been designed in collaboration with the families of Mr Furlong, 36, Mr Ritchie-Bennett, 39, and Mr Wails 49, and members of the community.

It was unveiled at a short private ceremony in Forbury Gardens on Tuesday afternoon, followed by a private church service at nearby St Laurence's Church.

Gary Furlong
Gary Furlong said he hoped the memorial would mean his son was remembered for years to come

James Furlong's dad, Gary, said: "The sadness we felt as we walked into the gardens, it hits you straight away.

"What we wanted was something that gave the boys longevity, so that they were permanently in the history of Reading and Forbury Gardens.

"It's important that they're not just remembered today, but they're remembered in 30, 40, 50 years time.

"They should never, never be forgotten."

Family at memorial stone
The stone has been designed in collaboration with the families of those killed

A civic memorial service will be held in the gardens at 19:00 BST, with a flower-laying ceremony by families and friends, followed by a minute's silence.

Residents were also be able to pay their respects at the permanent memorial stone, which has been positioned at the Forbury Bandstand.

Family handouts David Wails, Joe Ritchie-Bennett and James FurlongFamily handouts
Friends (L-R) David Wails, Joe Ritchie-Bennett and James Furlong had been enjoying a summer's evening

The ceremony will be livestreamed on Reading Borough Council's Facebook page for people unable to attend.

At 21:45, three beams of light will be shone into the sky from the gardens' historic Maiwand Lion. The war memorial sculpture became a symbol of the town's solidarity in the days and weeks following the attacks.

Council Leader Jason Brock said: "I am sure that I'm far from alone in always thinking of James, Joe and David whenever I walk through our historic Forbury Gardens.

"It will be forever important that we, as a town, continue to demonstrate our unity in the face of an act of terror that sought to divide us."

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