Barnaby Webber’s mum breaks down in tears during heart-wrenching tribute at funeral of Nottingham attack victim
BARNABY Webber’s mum broke down in tears while paying tribute to him at the heart-wrenching funeral of the Nottingham attack victim.
Emma Webber delivered a eulogy for her “extraordinary” son in front of 600 family members and friends on Friday in Taunton Minster, Somerset.
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She said: “Barney wasn’t the boy receiving cups, accolades, or awards, he wasn’t chosen first, he wasn’t made head boy and he wasn’t heaped in admiration, but it doesn’t matter.
“What we do know is that our ordinary boy was anything but that, his ordinary was in fact what made him extraordinary.”
Emma added that she was “so very thankful” for her memories of her son – as well as the photos she has of him.
She said: “Right now, looking at them is so very painful, but my heart knows that I have them and in time I’ll draw great comfort from them.
“There will come a time when our voice is to be heard publicly regarding the events in Nottingham – and also the desperate need for change in this country, on how this could ever have happened.
“But not today. I promise you though, Barney, that it will come, and you will not be lost to us in vain.
“If you imagine our world as a clear night sky, it is seemingly completely black.
“However, if you stop for long enough, you’ll begin to see very small moments of light, like a shooting star, or a distant planet.
“All of the love and support we’ve received, the hundreds and hundreds of letters, many from strangers, and all of the gestures of love, donations made, the memorial matches and the shirts – they are those tiny glimmers of bright.
“And I know that we have a very long and painful road ahead of us, and I admit that I am very scared by it.
“But I am still looking up into that sky, and I know that one day – I have no idea when – but I know the dawn will break for us again.
“We remain a family of four, just one of us isn’t here right now.”
The 19-year-old’s devastated friends and family poured into a church this morning as hundreds came together to say their final goodbyes.
Devastated loved ones stood huddled under umbrellas in the rain, watching the service on big screens as they spilled out of the church.
Barnaby died on the street with fellow university students Grace O’Malley-Kumar when the horror sunrise attacks unfolded in the city on June 13.
Ian Coates, 65, was allegedly killed by the same knifeman just streets away.
In the days after the trio died, Barnaby’s family slammed his “senseless murder“.
Mourners gathered outside Somerset‘s Saint Mary Magdalene Church in Taunton, with the local council closing off nearby streets ahead of the service.
TV screens broadcasted the funeral for those who could not fit inside the church.
Barnaby’s brother Charlie wore the victim’s cricket cap as he walked into the church with Dad David at his side.
The pair then carried Barney’s yellow and green wicker coffin inside alongside other loved ones.
Mourners could be seen drying their eyes as Barnaby was brought into the church to Annie Lennox’s song Into The West.
A number of the 19-year-old’s pals stood and spoke, paying tribute to their friend who was taken too soon.
The youngsters told stories of their cricketing matches, boozing sessions, the hangovers that followed, and other memories with Barnaby.
His father also stood and spoke to the crowds, recalling family holidays and other memories he’ll always hold dear.
David finished his speech by asking people to be kinder to others going forward, signing off: “Be a little bit more Barney.”
Brother Charlie also recalled sweet memories, before mum Emma spoke to mourners, too.
After recalling years gone by Emma it was said how everyone kept asking how the family had been so brave over the past month.
She told the church: “I don’t know how we’re doing this, I honestly don’t.”
The mum of two added: “All of the love and support we’ve received – they are those tiny glimmers of light.”
‘MY BOY’
Emma called for a minute-long round of applause and cheers for her “boy”.
The teen’s family had welcomed everyone in Taunton to come along and pay their respects and about 600 people braved the rain to do so.
Ahead of the service youngsters could be seen filing into the church, while flowers were placed nearby.
After the public funeral, Barnaby’s loved ones will head to a private ceremony to say their final goodbyes.
The teen’s funeral comes just days after Grandfather Ian was farewelled by his loved ones.
The football lover’s funeral was held on Wednesday, seeing dozens gather to see him off.
Floral tributes read the words Gramps, Grandad, and Dad, and were all in white and red – the colors of Nottingham Forest.
CAUSE OF DEATH
One bouquet had a heartwrenching tribute attached from Grace’s family.
They wrote: “For Ian and the Coates’ family. Sending you all our thoughts and prayers.
“From the family of Grace O’Malley-Kumar.”
The trio’s cause of death was revealed last week.
The students, both 19, died after suffering stab wounds to the chest and abdomen.
Ian died from stab wounds to the chest alone, Nottingham Coroners’ Court was told.
Senior coroner Mairin Casey told the hearing: “When any individual dies of unnatural causes, as has happened in this case, an inquest will always be opened.
“As the deaths of these three people occurred close in time on the same day and arising from a chain of events that is linked to one individual, it is right that these inquests should be opened at the same time.”
Valdo Amissao Mendes Calocane has been charged with three counts of murder.
He is also accused of attempted murder after three people were injured, one critically, when they were hit by a van.
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