READING has once again come together to honour the memory of Joe Ritchie-Bennett, James Furlong, and David Wails on the fourth anniversary of the attack which claimed their lives in Forbury Gardens.
On Thursday, June 20, family and friends gathered at St Laurence’s Church for the memorial service, led by Revd Chris Jones.
Rvd Jones led attendees in an opening prayer, followed by a reading of He Is Gone by Gary Furlong, and a reading of Psalm 23.
Attendees took part in a prayer of remembrance before Nichole Grace sang a rendition of Hope.
They then lit candles honouring the memory of the three men.
They were joined by members of the public who had come to pay their respects in a civic memorial service in Forbury Gardens.
The mayor of Reading, Cllr Glen Dennis, said in his opening address: “To the families of David, James, and Joe– we can only imagine what you have gone through in the past four years.
“We cannot lessen your pain, but we can share it, and we stand with you.
“The impact is still felt by those injured in or those who witnessed those events, when the phrase Reading Together was used by so many of us to reflect our shared shock and pain.
“But it is more than just a phrase–the whole community has been united not only in horror but also in the determination to honour the memory of David, James, and Joe.”
He then led attendees in a minute’s silence, before a short address by Gary Furlong, who said:
“It is an honour to be with you all in memory of our beloved sons, brothers, and uncles.”
He thanked Marc Allridge, of the Blagrave Arms, and Lucy Daniels, of Reading Borough Council, for their “tireless work” on the memorials.
“The families would also like to thank the boys’ friends and work colleagues, the LGBTQ+ communities in Reading, and their voluntary sector partners this evening.
“It reiterates our faith in humanity; that when we come together, stand together as one, it proves that hatred can never and will never win.”
Revd Sonya Wratten, of St Laurence’s Church, gave a reading of Psalm 139, followed by a prayer and a performance of Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Nichole Grace.
Members of the public laid flowers, including representatives of Reading Borough Council the deputy mayor, Alice Mpofu-Coles, and Cllr Debs Edwards, as well as Reading East MP Matt Rodda and the High Sheriff of Berkshire, Alexander Barfield.
The gardens were closed before the Maiwand Lion was lit with three beams in memory of David, James, and Joe.
Following the memorial service, Matt Rodda said: “It’s very moving to be here, very sobering, and it’s such an important anniversary to remember and commemorate.
“We’re paying tribute to the three men and showing our support for them, their families, and their loved ones.”
Gary Furlong said: “It’s difficult coming back; it’s a sad place, where a terrible incident happened, but we’ll be coming back for the rest of our lives.
“Not only in tribute to my son, James, but to Joe and David.”
Speaking of the memorial placard set in honour of the three men, upon which flowers were laid, he explained:
“We always wanted a memorial which embedded the boys into the history of Forbury Gardens.
“James was a history and politics teacher– he lived and breathed history– so we wanted something which would be there in 40 or 50 years’ time.
“It gives them that legacy.”
He said of the members of the public who attended to pay their respects: “We as a family feel honoured; it’s very kind of people to turn out, and I thank them for their tributes to the three boys.”
