Memorial unveiled for Forbury Gardens terror attack victims

Three years to the day after the horrific events, the town’s community came together 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.

The memorial, designed in close collaboration with James, Joe and David's families, was unveiled for at a private ceremony for the victim's families, this afternoon.

Councillor Tony Page opened the ceremony before the victims' mothers - Joan Wails, Jan Furlong and Charlene Ritchie - unveiled the memorial plaque.

Tony Page described the horrific incident of 2020 as "an attack of terror that sought to divide us."

Representatives from Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, South Central Ambulance Service, Thames Valley Police and Reading Council also attended the private unveiling.

The public are invited to attend the official Civic Memorial Service which begins at 7pm tonight at Forbury Gardens.

A flower laying ceremony by families and friends will take place, followed by a minute silence.

Residents will also be able to pay their respects at the permanent memorial stone which will be positioned at the Forbury Bandstand.

They will be able to access Forbury Gardens from 6.30pm and the gardens will close again at 8pm. The park will reopen to the public tomorrow morning (June 21).

At 9.45pm, three beams of light will be shone from the Forbury’s historic Maiwand Lion - which quickly became a symbol of the town’s solidarity in the difficult days and weeks which followed the attacks - into the night sky, in memory of James, Joe and David, and everybody affected.