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Alan Greaves murder: Anniversary service at site of killing Alan Greaves murder: Anniversary service at site of killing
(1 day later)
The widow of a murdered church organist has invited the community to join her in a service later on the street where he was attacked last Christmas Eve. The widow of a murdered church organist invited the community to join her in a service on the street where he was attacked last Christmas Eve.
Alan Greaves, 68, was beaten to death on his way to the midnight service at St Saviour's Church in Sheffield.Alan Greaves, 68, was beaten to death on his way to the midnight service at St Saviour's Church in Sheffield.
Jonathan Bowling and Ashley Foster, both 22, were jailed for the killing.Jonathan Bowling and Ashley Foster, both 22, were jailed for the killing.
Mr Greaves' widow Maureen said a service would start at 23:00 GMT at Greengates Lane, High Green - the same time and place her husband was killed. Mr Greaves' widow Maureen said the 23:00 GMT service at Greengates Lane, High Green, was at the same time and place her husband was killed.
Posters and leaflets have been distributed inviting the people of High Green to attend the event. Posters and leaflets were distributed inviting the people of High Green to attend the event.
The vicar of High Green, the Reverend Canon Simon Bessant, said: "We cannot ignore the anniversary of the attack upon Alan, but we don't want to simply hold another memorial event. Speaking before the service, The vicar of High Green, the Reverend Canon Simon Bessant, said: "We cannot ignore the anniversary of the attack upon Alan, but we don't want to simply hold another memorial event.
"So, rather than have our usual midnight service, we have decided to go out to the place where such a dark and brutal event took place last Christmas Eve."So, rather than have our usual midnight service, we have decided to go out to the place where such a dark and brutal event took place last Christmas Eve.
"We don't believe that darkness should have the last word, so we are going to have a celebration of light at the place and time that Alan died.""We don't believe that darkness should have the last word, so we are going to have a celebration of light at the place and time that Alan died."
Mrs Greaves said: "I can't bear the thought of remembering Alan walking in the darkness alone last Christmas Eve, so having as many people present with me will be a great comfort.Mrs Greaves said: "I can't bear the thought of remembering Alan walking in the darkness alone last Christmas Eve, so having as many people present with me will be a great comfort.
"Celebrating the light of Christ at Christmas time was what Alan was intending to do last year, but never made it. This year we can do that for him. I really hope as many people as possible will come out on to the streets to celebrate Christmas with me. "Celebrating the light of Christ at Christmas time was what Alan was intending to do last year, but never made it. This year we can do that for him.
"As we celebrate light at Christmas, I've asked that we also pray for Jonathan and Ashley, who killed my husband."As we celebrate light at Christmas, I've asked that we also pray for Jonathan and Ashley, who killed my husband.
"I want them to know that light will always overcome darkness and to find that light for themselves"."I want them to know that light will always overcome darkness and to find that light for themselves".
The celebration will begin at 23:00 GMT on Christmas Eve night at the railings on the east end of Greengate Lane. Large flaming torches marked the site of the killing and everybody who attended was offered a hand-held candle.
Large flaming torches will mark the site and everybody who attends will be given a hand-held candle. Carol singing will be led by local singers and everyone will be given a carol sheet and invited to join in.
There will be a reading of the story of the birth of Jesus and the Bishop of Sheffield will give a short address.
At 11:20 GMT there will be a minute's silence and Mrs Greaves will lay a wreath. The church will then be giving out free mulled wine and mince pies.
Mr Bessant said: "Whilst we will be remembering Alan, we also want to celebrate. So carol singing and eating and drinking seem to be totally appropriate. I think that this is what Alan would have wanted us to do.Mr Bessant said: "Whilst we will be remembering Alan, we also want to celebrate. So carol singing and eating and drinking seem to be totally appropriate. I think that this is what Alan would have wanted us to do.
"This tragic story started last Christmas Eve with an act of deep darkness. Exactly a year later we intend to bring it to a conclusion with a blaze of light.""This tragic story started last Christmas Eve with an act of deep darkness. Exactly a year later we intend to bring it to a conclusion with a blaze of light."