A two-week celebration of the life of murdered teen Alice Gross culminated with a free concert in her memory on Sunday (June 7).
The Celebrating Alice festival was held in Boston Manor Park, in Brentford, and featured several local acts, including friends of the 14-year-old.
During the two-week celebration, 14 trees were planted in Boston Manor Park as “a reminder her spirit will live on here for many years to come”.
Events on Sunday began with a memorial walk from the Fox pub, in Green Lane, Hanwell, along the Grand Union Canal to the park. The concert took place between midday and 4pm in the park’s walled garden.
Alice disappeared from her Hanwell home last summer, and her body was found in the River Brent a month later.
Police have said they believe the schoolgirl was killed by convicted Latvian murderer Arnis Zalkalns, whose body was found hanging in woodland at Boston Manor Park on October 4.
Alice's devastated parents Rosalind Hodgkiss and Jose Gross have thanked everyone involved in the festival. They said: "We are extremely grateful to all those who performed in or attended yesterday's event to commemorate Alice and show solidarity with our family.
"Although it was extremely painful for us to reflect on the events of last year as we walked the canal, it was comforting to know that people in the community cared enough to share this walk with us.
"The bands that played, including many young musicians and friends of Alice, were brilliant and we were blessed with beautiful weather.
"We are so grateful to Linda Massey and Friends of Boston Manor for organising the event, which was a fitting tribute both to Alice and the community that has supported us throughout this tragedy."
Speaking before the concert, Linda Massey, of the Friends of Boston Manor, said the events were about reclaiming the area’s open spaces and showing solidarity with Alice’s family.
“We were all so saddened by the incomprehensible outcome [of the search for Alice],” she said.
“With our involvement in the local community we have regularly been asked how we could bring the community together to not only reclaim our open spaces after the dark days but also to give strength to the family.
“It is felt that the time is now right and with full support from the family, various activities have and will be taking place in Boston Manor Park.”
A music tent at this year’s Hanwell Carnival, on Saturday June 20, has already been dedicated to the memory of Alice, who herself was a talented musician and singer. Alice’s Acoustic Tent will feature young, local musicians, and acts who have performed there in the past.
Alice's mum will take part in the Osterley Park 10k - also on June 20 - to raise money for a memorial fund set up in memory of Alice.
And she is also taking on the Thames River Ultra Challenge later this year alongside Alice's sister, Nina.
