THE flag over Woodstock town hall flew at half mast as more than 200 mourners filled the church of St Mary Magdalene for the funeral of ten-year-old Naomi Sims.

Naomi, described at the service as a 'special little girl', died after falling in the River Glyme near her home in Bear Close, Woodstock, while playing with her friend Aude on a footpath on the town's Water Meadows.

She was sucked into the fast flowing waters of a sluice and trapped against a drain on May 3.

Naomi was rescued after 20 minutes by firefighters, but died several hours later in the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford.

Her tiny pale lilac coffin adorned with three floral tributes was carried into church by four of her relatives, followed by her mother Bridget Hogg and father Paul Sims.

Her stepfather David Hogg remained at home to look after Naomi's four-year-old brother George.

Peach and white flowers picked out Naomi's name in bouquets along the side of the hearse and other wreaths included a book with a teddy bear and a teddy bear clutching pink rose buds. The 40-minute service was taken by the Rector of Woodstock, the Rev Roger Humphreys. who said the memories on Naomi, although painful now, would always bring joy and pride.

He said: "Naomi lived life to the full. She loved music and singing and was a member of the choir. She was a Brownie, member of the Baptist Sunday School and academically bright with a gift for maths.

"One of the lovely things I have learnt about Naomi over these past few days from so many people, is that she is always remembered with a smile. What a gift! Naomi brought joy into so many lives."

Mr Humphreys paid tribute to the emergency services who rescued Naomi and the doctors and nurses who fought to save her life as well as Aude for raising the alarm.

"And I would like to pay a tribute to this whole community which has been united in grief and also, I know, in a shared commitment to prevent an accident happening like this again." "The fact that Naomi was such a special little girl was because she came from a special family. Naomi was indeed blessed with three parents. They have all told me they are peaceful because they couldn't have done more for her, they couldn't have spent more time with her or shown her more love. That's a wonderful thing to say," he said.

Naomi was a pupil at Woodstock Church of England Primary School and the headteacher Andrew Walkey, several teachers and many of Naomi's fellow pupils were among the congregation.

Mr Walkey, who read from St John's Gospel, said: "The school as a whole was devastated by Naomi's death and we are planning to hold our own memorial service later in the term."

Naomi's class teacher Mrs Karen Metcalfe read a poem called Love composed by Naomi.

There was also a selection of Naomi's favourite music compiled by her stepfather including songs by Michael Jackson, Status Quo and the Spice Girls. The final hymn was All Things Bright and Beautiful.

Among the mourners were members of the Brownie pack Naomi belonged to and retained fire fighters from Woodstock who were first on the scene after the accident.

Naomi's family had asked for family flowers only at the funeral and requested people to give donations if they wished to the primary school or the John Radcliffe Hospital's paediatric intensive therapy unit.

The Water Meadows are owned by the town council and mayor councillor Ted Saxton, who was elected on Tuesday night, former mayor councillor Ian Baxter, the leader of the environment committee councillor Pauline Richardson and town clerk Mrs Marian Moxon were at the service. The flag on the town hall close to the church was flying at half mast.

The town council, on the advice of the Environment Agency, has appointed consultants to advise on any safety work needed to the River Glyme and its banks to prevent a further tragedy.

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