Bells to toll on the anniversary of Raymond James Quigley's death

Ben Parker/BBC The church tower of St Mary le Tower church in IpswichBen Parker/BBC
The bells at the churches of St Mary le Tower (pictured) and St Mary at the Elms in Ipswich will ring 18 times, once for each year of Mr Quigley's life

Church bells will be tolled 18 times to mark the one-year anniversary of the murder of an 18-year-old in Ipswich.

Raymond James Quigley, known as James, from Wymondham, Norfolk, was attacked on Westgate Street, Ipswich, at 15:35 GMT on 17 January 2023.

St Mary's le Tower and St Mary at the Elms will both mark the occasion at the request of Mr Quigley's family.

Two teenagers are currently on trial for murder at Ipswich Crown Court.

Joshua Howell, 18, and Alfie Hammett, 19, both deny murder.

Ben Parker/BBC Prayers being said outside St Mary le Tower Church in Ipswich in memory of Mr QuigleyBen Parker/BBC
One week after Mr Quigley's death bells were tolled at St Mary le Tower Church in Ipswich

Both churches tolled their bells one week after Mr Quigley's murder and said they received a request from Mr Quigley's family to do so again.

The bells will mark the one-year anniversary of his death, but will also acknowledge "the grief and trauma brought by the horrors of knife crime", the churches said in a statement.

The Reverend Tom Mumford, the vicar of St Mary le Tower said: "My prayers are with James' family and all who have been caught up in this horrific event. He was only 18.

"Nobody, let alone people of that age, should be getting caught up in this sort of violence."

"This should be a wake-up call for everyone," he added.

Ben Parker/BBC The church tower of St Mary le Tower church in IpswichBen Parker/BBC
The bells at the churches of St Mary le Tower (pictured) and St Mary at the Elms in Ipswich will ring 18 times, once for each year of Mr Quigley's life
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