Forbury Gardens attack victims to be remembered at special event

A flower laying ceremony will take place to remember those who lost their lives and those injured in 2020, when Khairi Saadallah stabbed six people.

Three of his victims died, James Furlong, Joe Ritchie-Bennett and David Wails, for whom a minute’s silence will be held at 7pm.

“Two years have passed since the horrific events at the Forbury Gardens, but for many of us in the town it still feels much more recent and the magnitude of that summer evening is still at the forefront of our minds,” said Reading Borough Council Leader Jason Brock.

“Next week is an opportunity for everybody in Reading to remember James, Joe and David, and all of those injured, in the Forbury Gardens two years ago.

“Whether you choose to do this in person at the minute’s silence in the Gardens or in your own private way, the anniversary offers the town another chance to come together in solidarity, just as it did so magnificently in the days and weeks which followed the attacks.

“My thoughts, and the thoughts of everybody in Reading, will always remain with the families and close friends who so needlessly loved lost ones that day, as well as all those injured or affected.”

A Memorial Service for family, friends and invited guests will take place at St Laurence’s Church at 6pm.

At the end of the service attendees will make their way to Forbury Gardens where a  minute’s silence will be held at 7pm, alongside a flower laying ceremony led by families and friends, alongside Mayor of Reading, Councillor Rachel Eden, and Reading Borough Council Leader, Councillor Jason Brock.

At 9.45pm, Reading’s historic Maiwand Lion – which quickly became a symbol of the town’s solidarity in the days and weeks which followed the attacks - will be again poignantly lit up.