Hundreds of people gathered outside St Albans Cathedral on Sunday to watch as a flock of doves were released at the district's annual bereavement service. 

The St Albans and District Bereavement Network held its seventh annual service of remembrance and thanksgiving, organised in partnership with the Cathedral’s Ecumenical Chaplaincy.   

The Deputy Lieutenant of Hertfordshire - Mr J Stuart Lewis, Deputy Mayor of St Albans - Councillor Janet Churchard, her consort Councillor Geoffrey Churchard and Councillor Julian Daly joined with families, children, adults and young people who filled the Cathedral to remember loved ones.

The Bereavement Network’s co-founders Dr Mary Groves-Rowe MBE and Reverend Colin Rowe were also in attendance.

Client contributions added a real poignancy to the service.  Sue Griffiths, spoke movingly about her personal loss and read a touching poem "My Parents Kept A Garden".  

Samantha Ford, Assistant Administrator for the Network read a personal reflection on behalf of former client, Sue Mullis.  

During the service paper doves with personal messages were placed on remembrance trees either side of the main altar. The congregation lit candles in memory of their loved ones.

The Right Reverend John Gladwin told: "The glow of hundreds of candles together in the fading light of the afternoon signifies that there is hope even in our darkest times and coming together to remember with others reminds us we are not alone in grief."

For more information on the network, visit: www.sabn.org.uk, or call: 01727 841914.