Picnic tribute to mums killed in Arena bombing

ON the same day as the solemn funerals of Alison Howe and Lisa Lees, an event with a very different feel remembered them just as fondly.

The ‘Picnic in the Park’ only came about because of the horrific act at the Manchester Arena which claimed the lives of 22 people – including the two much-loved mums from Royton. But in a short space of time people rallied together to put on the event.

Movin’ On Up by Primal Scream played as hundreds of people started to arrive at Tandle Hill park.

It seemed a perfect song to capture the spirit of the evening – and brought an end to an emotional day where hundreds of mourners paid tribute to two Oldham mums killed in the bombing.

Alison, 45, and Lisa, 43, had been waiting in the Arena’s foyer to pick up their daughters from the concert. Yesterday, their funerals were held one after the other.

People listened to the services at St Anne’s Church in Royton on speakers outside after it quickly filled.

Private committals followed the funerals, led by Rev James Read.

Alison’s coffin was carried to the church on a horse and carriage, while family and friends and hundreds of other mourners followed on foot.

Music from the Simon and Garfunkel album Bridge Over Troubled Water played as people entered the church.

During the service Alison’s husband, Steve, who she met in 1996, said she was a rock to their two daughters Darcie, 15 and Sasha, 18, and her four stepsons.

The tribute to Alison, a sexual health nurse, read on his behalf added: “Alison was without doubt the strength behind me and the children.

“We all loved her, and she loved us. She was strong, witty, loving and thoughtful, beautiful inside and out, hard working, calm and sometimes fiery, loyal – just perfect.

“She gave us everything she had, and we loved her like no other.”

Alison’s mother, Sue, said she was heartbroken at the loss of her daughter.

Hundreds of people also turned out to pay their respects to Lisa Lees, a mother-of-two and grandmother who worked as a beauty tutor at Oldham College.

Vogue by Madonna was played as the coffin was taken into church after being brought on a horse and carriage.

As mourners listened on

Speakers outside, Rev Read said Lisa – mum to India, 15, and Lauren, 25 – had many plans for the future before her life was cut short. Moving tributes followed from Lisa’s daughter, Lauren, and husband Anthony. Lauren said: “Mum wasn’t just a mum to us, s ●●A picnic was organised in Tandle hill Park in memory of Alison Howe (left) and Lisa Lees