Town comes to standstill beside grieving family

The closely-knit market town of Machynlleth in mid Wales came to an absolute standstill as the youngster’s tiny coffin made its final journey from her home to the packed church where her funeral was held.

Almost a year on from April’s cruel and brutal killing by paedophile Mark Bridger, her family – and an entire community – were united in grief.

Her ashen-faced parents were joined by at least 200 people on foot in a show of solidarity as their daughter’s funeral procession left the Bryn-y-Gog estate.

Mother Coral, 41, dressed in a pink and black striped top, sobbed audibly as she made her way to sit at the front of the service, as 44-year-old husband Paul walked by her side acknowledging the pats of compassion and nods of encouragement.

And as mourners held each other for support, the Rev Kathleen Rogers said: “We know that there are no words we can say at this moment to express what we are feeling. No words can alleviate our sorrow or take away our pain.”

The funeral cortege began its journey from April’s home as neighbours and relatives – all dressed in April’s favourite colour – pink, tried to hold back the tears.

Family and friends gathered at the house at the Bryn-y-Gog estate, where a memorial garden has been made to commemorate the schoolgirl.

Silence descended upon the street the moment two white horses, decorated with pink ribbons, pulled a white carriage containing April’s coffin through Machynlleth.

Mothers clutched tissues and their children tightly as the hearse decorated with the name April in pink flowers, began the journey through the town centre – which was stopped in its tracks.

Shops and pubs were emptied as their customers lined the streets and bowed their heads in silent respect.

The coffin arrived at St Peter’s to Emeli Sande’s Read All About It played on loudspeakers outside the church.

Mourners filled the church and the graveyard outside, forming a sea of pink lining the path, as the coffin was carried into the church by pallbearers including Paul’s stepfather Dai Smith, Coral’s best friend Tracy Evans and Paul’s brother Phil Jones.

Among them were members of the mountain rescue team and senior police who had helped in the hunt to find April – which became the biggest search operation in UK history.

Ms Rogers told the congregation: “It’s a bittersweet moment. Our hopes and dreams have changed because April has been taken from us.

“But you know, we come also with a sense of thanksgiving for the many ways that April touched our lives and those with whom she came into contact.

“Today, here in this place, she is linking us all together in grief. Yet, grief goes hand in hand with love.

“In whatever way we express our grief, it shows our love for April.”

A poignant poem reflecting on the devastating abduction of April before her tragic fate was known was read by Sian Calban, a teacher at the primary school she attended.

Written by local man Jim Marshall and called simply April, it begins: “On this beautiful sunlit autumn day, A desperate sadness casts long shadows, across our anxious and questioning world. Time and mischance have conspired, To inflict the cruellest of evil fates, on an innocent and trusting infant.”

A second poem, by the same author, and called An Autumn Night, was read by church warden Joyce Price.

But despite the palpable sense of loss, April’s family insisted some good should come from the tragedy – donations at the funeral are to be used to pay for a five-year-old Ugandan schoolgirl’s education.