Post by Salem6 on Oct 12, 2003 9:17:33 GMT
More than 1,500 people gathered to remember the victims
British victims of the Bali bombings have been remembered in an emotional service and the unveiling of a plaque on the Indonesian island.
It is one year since two bombs ripped through two nightspots on the popular island killing 202 people, including 28 Britons.
Eighteen British families have gathered in Bali, joining more than 1,500 mourners from around the world.
As part of the commemorations, a church service will be held in London later on Sunday.
The names of all the dead were read out at a ceremony at one of Bali's spiritual landmarks in Jimbaran on Sunday morning.
At the open air service, Australian Prime Minister John Howard gave an emotional speech before hundreds of mourners placed flowers in a pool of remembrance.
"It was very touching, very personal and it was what was needed - it was about the young people " Sharon Perkins from Sheffield Victim's mothers and aunt
"It was very touching, very personal and it was what was needed - it was about the young people," said Sharon Perkins, from Sheffield, whose 20-year-old daughter Natalie and 18-year-old niece Laura France both died.
Natalie's 18-year-old sister Nicole was one of 22 people to light a candle representing all the countries who had lost someone.
"She was so nervous but she was really pleased to do it," Mrs Perkins said.
"Also, with the girls being the youngest (who died) and Nicole losing both a sister and a cousin, it seemed right."
Sue Cooper, from Densole in Kent, who lost her brother Paul Hussey, described the service as "incredibly sad".
A pre-recorded message from the Prince of Wales was shown at a private meeting after the service, Mrs Cooper said.
Plaque unveiling
She said when she met the Australian prime minister, "he was just sobbing his heart out".
Ceremonies have been held to mark the first anniversary
In a separate British ceremony, a gold plaque bearing the name of 28 victims was unveiled.
Baroness Crawley, the government's representative, gave a short speech at the consulate in Sanur, before the names were revealed.
She said: "Can I just say that in unveiling the names of our loved ones here today we are saying to them that they will never, ever be forgotten."
She said the placing of the flowers in the remembrance pool had marked the end of "a dreadfully painful 12 months" for all the families.
"It also, of course, marks the beginning of a lifetime of extraordinary memories for all of us," she added.
"I hope that by coming here, families will feel that they maybe have found a bit more peace of mind and a little extra help and strength this weekend."
Relatives and friends of the British victims of the Bali bombings are due to gather at 1800 BST in London for a memorial service.
Balloons
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell and the Duke of Kent are also among the 800 people expected to attend the service at St Martin-in-the-Fields.
Before the 90-minute memorial, relatives of the 28 British dead and survivors will help release 202 balloons in Trafalgar Square, to represent each of the lives lost.
In Bali, candles were also being lit on Kuta beach from 1600 local time (0900 BST) until sunset by relatives and survivors to symbolise those who were killed.
Prior to the anniversary, police on the island stepped up their presence amid fears of another terror attack.
Hundreds of police with automatic rifles and sniffer dogs patrolled Kuta beach, close to the actual original bomb site.