Memories and lanterns as Georgia Williams' friends and family mark sad anniversary

The legacy of the free-spirited 17-year-old was tangible when around 150 friends and family gathered in Bowring Park, Wellington, to remember her.

Georgia's memorial bench was covered with flowers, candles, balloons and ribbons in her favourite colours orange and blue.

Her friends sat in circles on the grass sharing memories and embracing her fun-loving spirit by engaging in lively chatter and hugging one another for comfort.

Georgia's parents Steve and Lynnette Williams and her sister Scarlett mingled with sombre well-wishers who offered words of support at the heartbreaking time. And as dusk fell, lanterns floated spontaneously into the sky.

Groups huddled together to light the colourful paper lanterns and some cheered as they took off.

Mr Williams said: "It's really nice that everyone is still remembering Georgia and she would be really pleased about that.

"A couple of girls have ginged their hair up for Georgia. There are lots of her friends here, her boyfriend Matt, her friends from air cadets, her cousins and relatives. It's been a really bad day. I have cried all day. But it's nice that everybody has come out and deep down we wish we weren't doing it. We shouldn't be doing it."

Reverend Mark Ireland held a vigil for Georgia at All Saints Church in Wellington yesterday morning when photographs of her smiling face were beamed from a projector, candles were lit and prayers said.

Mrs Williams said: "It's lovely to see so many close friends and family a year on have Georgia in their thoughts. The church was open from 10am until 12pm and at 11am the vicar held a little prayer service and we all lit candles."

Georgia's grandfather John Dayus said: "It's been very well attended. It shows how well Georgia was thought of. The service was sad but nice. I think people have got over the shock now and they're just remembering Georgia."

Lesley Dayus, Georgia's aunt said: "While there are all these people around here that remember Georgia she will never die. There's too wide a circle of friends and family for that to happen. Her legacy will live on."

Georgia's friend Liam Ball who organised the gathering said: "It's nice that everyone turned up and picked up a ribbon and lit a candle. I'm glad that her family have been able to make it. I think a lot of people would rather be in a group than sat at home on their own thinking about it. I know Steve and Lynnette were having trouble being on their own."

Georgia's parents went on to Avondale Road, Wellington to lay flowers outside the house where Georgia was murdered.