Nearly 2,000 people crowded into Ely Cathedral in Cambridgeshire yesterday to celebrate the lives of the two murdered schoolgirls, Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, and hear Holly's father pay a personal poetic tribute to his "rose".
Kevin Wells's voice was unwavering as he read Soham's Rose, a poem he had written himself, during a memorial service at Ely Cathedral.
The service was held 13 days after the bodies of Holly and Jessica, who vanished while walking near their homes in Soham, Cambs, on August 4th, were found near a track near Wangford, Suffolk.
The congregation, made up of friends, relatives, neighbours, teachers and police, was asked to "celebrate and remember" the 10-year-old schoolgirls.
"Your right to grow, to mature and play, so cruelly denied in a sinister way," read Mr Wells (38).
"Attentive and caring, a parent's delight but so young at heart, needing comfort at night.
"The garden so quiet, the house is too, but pausing for a moment we can still sense you.
"Your trusting nature and desire to please all allow us, your family, to remain walking tall.
"Our memories, now shared, with the nation's hearts, small crumbs of comfort, now it is time to part.
"We will never forget you, heaven's gain, as it knows, is simply you Holly, our beautiful Soham rose."
The congregation had also heard a poetic tribute to Jessica. A friend of her family, Ms Kathleen Golding, had written a poem, entitled Lord of Comfort, which was read by police family liaison officer Detective Constable Brian Stevens.
"The family are feeling such pain from their loss of their precious daughter and their longing to see her again," read Mr Stevens.
"In the tough times that lies ahead please carry them as they go."
In his address, the local vicar, the Rev Alban Jones said the most appropriate lasting memorial for the two girls would be for people to change the way they behaved towards each other.
"Jessica and Holly were two trusting and loving girls, and the way they lived is surely the right pattern for us. The very worst thing that could happen as a result of what took place in Soham is that a whole generation of children should grow up without being able to trust anyone.
"We must not raise our children to live in an atmosphere of constant fear and suspicion where everyone is mistrusted. We need to let our lives be ruled by love and goodness, not hate and the deeds of darkness
"The love which Holly and Jessica knew and shared with their families and friends does continue even though they themselves are not here. The memories will remain. . . Their pictures will always be with us."
The congregation represented all walks of Soham life and many people were red eyed with tears as they left the 11th century cathedral.
Holly and Jessica's school will open for the start of the new academic year on Monday, with counsellors standing by to help children and teachers come to terms with the tragedy. - (PA)