READING came together this afternoon to pay tribute to the three friends who were murdered in Forbury Gardens one year ago today.

More than 100 people -- including friends, family and community leaders -- attended the service in the Gardens to pay their respects to Joe Ritchie-Bennett, James Furlong and David Wails.

Reading Chronicle: Wreaths for James Furlong, David Wails and Joe Ritchie-BennettWreaths for James Furlong, David Wails and Joe Ritchie-Bennett

The service began at 4pm with introductory remarks from Mayor David Stevens.

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He said: "To those who lost loved ones or close friends that day, you should know Reading will always stand with you.

"David, Joe and James, you will not be forgotten”

Reading Chronicle: Image via PAImage via PA

Niha Roy Choudhary, a student at The Holt School where James Furlong taught, followed with a rendition of ‘A Clare Benediction’.

Afterwards, tributes to James, Joe and David followed from friends and family.

Dr Walis’ close friend Ken Murphy, speaking on behalf of family and friends, said: “They say time is a great healer but I don’t think we will ever recover from the loss of David, James and Joe in such a terrible way in these gardens.

“However, we pray they are now at peace and are able to look down at us, and are happy with the love shown for them and the tributes being paid to them by everyone here today.”

Reading Chronicle: Image via PAImage via PA

Also speaking at the service was the brother of Mr Furlong, Gary, who told of how so many people lost someone close due to the impact he had on the lives of others.

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He said: “James was a gentle soul, kind and caring, his morals were impeccable, never swayed by personal incentives, no matter the cost and consequence to him.

“He was truly a selfless man, his life was a story of triumph over adversity, coming out as a gay man so young in a time when acceptance was not where it is today.”

Mr Furlong told of how James’ “lifelong goal” was to become a history teacher, saying he “brightened” so many lives.

Martin Cooper, spoke of his friend Mr Ritchie-Bennett’s sense of humour and the love he had for his family.

He added: “Joe was a blessing to the entire world but most importantly a blessing to our entire family for 39 years.

“To know Joe was to love Joe, we never met anyone who didn’t love Joe, his mere presence made you smile.

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“It took very little effort on his part to make you laugh.

“Joe was warm, he was genuine, he was welcoming, he loved people. In Joe’s heart there were no strangers, only friends he had yet to meet.”

Mr Cooper went on to say: “We love you Joe, we are so very sorry this happened to you, our heart aches for you every day.”

Reading’s Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra played ‘Adoration’ before Tamanna Steven, a student of James Furlong's at The Holt, read the Peace Prayer.

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A minute's silence followed before attendees laid yellow roses at the Forbury Gardens bandstand.

Friends and family of the three men who died one year ago today laid flowers first and embraced in a huddle at the bandstand.

Community figures including MPs Alok Sharma and Matt Rodda laid flowers, too.

Mayor David Stevens closed the ceremony just before 5pm.

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To mark the anniversary of the tragic attack, 365 lights were laid on the grounds of the garden to mark every day since Joe, James and David passed away.

Reading Borough Council flew a flag at half-mast to mark the year.