Memorial Walk for Moira Jones

On Sunday 7 June, 2009, the second commemorative ‘Moira’s Walk’ was held in Queen’s Park, in memory of Moira Jones, the sales consultant who was murdered there in May 2008. On the day, her parents – Hugh and Beatrice Jones – launched the Moira Fund in honour of their daughter.

Starting from the Victoria Road gates, around 80 people including local residents, councillors, MSPs and MPs, walked through the park to Moira’s Orchard where they stopped at the wild cherry tree which was planted last year, shortly after her body had been found nearby.

In announcing the Moira Fund, Beatrice Jones recited a poem she had written. (printed here) She said: ‘This dear green place was Moira’s view because her flat overlook this park. She loved it and you Glasgow people too. I think she’d approve of what I say, and would have thought my words appropriate.’

Hugh Jones, added: ‘We decided to set up the Moira Trust in honour of our beloved daughter and to leave a lasting legacy. After the suffering and hardship we went through we did not want others to have to go through that. We saw a gap in the provision of support offered to families and decided this was needed. The spirit of today is very positive. The people who are here have touched us very much and the future is very good. I would like to thank everyone who has come today. And a big thank you to Councillor Danny Alderslowe for organising this event. He has been a wonderful support.’

Danny said: ‘I feeling sad today but at the same time uplifted. I am very proud of the family for their bravery and courage. I am also very proud of the community who came united to show that they do care and wish to offer their support.’

A song – Macgregor’s lament – was sung in Gaelic and English by Babs Macgregor Frank McAveety, Shettleston MSP and David McKenna from Victim Support Scotland also spoke.

David said: ‘The Moira Trust is a wonderful tribute and legacy for Moira and will support families who have been affected by murder.  At a time like that, there is huge pressure on relationships, families and friends. There are also financial implications because people are grieving and cannot work. So the aim of the trust is to make things better for the families of murder victims.’

The Moira Fund will support those who find themselves bereaved through violent death at the hands of another and will give out grants. This will enable: access to specialist bereavement counselling; access to respite and/or retreat and participation in a support network for individuals whose lives have been affected through murder or manslaughter. For more information visit the website: www.themoirafund.org.uk

W 506

*In April this year, after a trial that lasted 28 days, Marek Harcar (33) from Slovakia was found guilty of the rape and murder of Moira Jones whose body was found in Queen’s Park in May 2008. He will serve a minimum of 25 years.

* Moira was born in Weston, Staffordshire, and moved to Glasgow in 2003. Her flat overlooked Queen’s Park on Glasgow’s Southside.

* Within days of the Park being reopened after Moira’s body had been found, a healing walk was led by local Councillor Danny Alderslowe to the orchard where a cherry tree was planted. There are 60 trees in the orchard.

 

POEM FOR MOIRA

Moira’s Orchard

by Beatrice Jones

 

On the night Moira suffered and died

Some passed heedless on the other side.

It happens world-wide not just here

I don’t know why. Maybe it’s fear

Or what’s it got to do with me?

Whatever the case you’ll all agree

That if Moira’s Orchard is to bear fruit

Today’s caring spirit must take root.

And branch and spread and intertwine

With other communities, all races, all creeds

So together we can scatter seeds

Of peace and tolerance, near and wide

Of neighbourliness and civic pride

Of respect for others and active care

So that when help is needed, help is there

 

Still more needs to be done, of course,

Laws must be changed and rules enforced.

Those we’ve put at the top must ensure

That everyone feels secure.

That human rights don’t seem all one way

And that decent folk get their say.

 

Moira was unknown to most of you

But when we lost Moira you hurt too

You also grieved. We were not alone

We needed support and support was shown

In the park, in court, in the press, everywhere

We are given respect, we know people care.

With you, Moira’s Orchard will surely thrive

And her precious memory be kept alive