Service for grieving families

Families and friends of victims, along with staff from the emergency services, gathered at St Mary the Virgin Church in Thame, on Sunday, to remember those who have been killed in road accidents.

So far this year, 35 people have died on the county’s roads. During the service, white rose petals were distributed to symbolise those who had lost their lives.

Daffodil bulbs were also handed out to grieving families as a tribute and, after the service, people lit candles in the church.

The service, the county’s third such memorial event, was led by the Rev David Wilbraham and prayers were said by the Bishop of Dorchester, Colin Fletcher.

Supt Mick Doyle, head of Thames Valley Police roads policing department, addressed the congregation.

He said: “We offer you a flower bulb to take away and plant somewhere special. Let the flower it produces be hope of the resurrection of beauty in the depths of despair.”

After the service, Mr Doyle said: “This is the opportunity to bring parents, families, friends together for an appropriate service of remembrance, and also to share with the emergency services personnel.”

Paul, 54, and Susan, 52, Friday, along with daughter Amanda, 24, have attended the service since it started in 2005.

Their son Richard, 22, died in a car crash in Thame four years ago.

They now take part in the police campaign Safe Drive, Stay Alive, where they visit schools and talk about their experience to encourage young people to wear seatbelts and drive carefully. Mrs Friday said: “The service was lovely – it was quite a healing process.”

John Eyres, 59, and his daughter Rachel Davis, 33, remembered wife and mum Pat, who was 54 when she died in a collision with another car in Stanton St John, near Oxford, three years ago.

Mr Eyres, of Haddenham, near Thame, said: “I found the service a very good experience as it gives you a kind of formal structure to your remembering and your ongoing grieving.”

abingdon@oxfordmail.co.uk