Local residents gathered in Eccles tonight to pay respect to Alan Henning at the launch of a tribute garden in his memory.
The story of the 47-year-old taxi driver turned volunteer aid worker is internationally known.
Here in Eccles Recreational Ground Alan used to walk his dog and it is here in his home town where this permanent memorial will remain.
Dignitaries including Barbara Keeley MP, the newly installed City Mayor of Salford Paul Dennett, and Ceremonial Mayor Peter Dobbs all spoke in support of the family.
Reverend Dr Anne Louise Critchlow, Chair of Churches Together led a silent prayer, the crowd bowing their heads to remember.
Barbara Henning paid emotional tribute to her husband, reliving the anguish and heartbreak of his capture by so-called Islamic State terrorists, and the pain of learning that he would never return home.
This was not an unhappy occasion, however.
There were tales of Alan taking Barbara fishing for their honeymoon, or the story of the dates, which is borderline unprintable in a family newspaper, but is testament to Gadget’s common sense and his way of making everyone feel comfortable.
“He was the one that people could go to for help or advice, the one who wasn’t afraid to say what everyone was thinking,” said Barbara.
“Alan, the man who enjoyed a beer or two while watching the telly.
“He went to his first convoy on the Turkey Syria border and was so disturbed to see the suffering and loss that he felt a responsibility to help.”
Pictures: Eccles covered in yellow ribbons for Alan Henning one year after IS murder
Barbara spoke of the privilege of meeting some of the hostages who were freed, who told how Alan would tell them unusual and unbelievable stories, or how he would lecture them on how proud he was of his son and daughter Adam and Lucy.
“It’s been two and a half years since we learned of his kidnap, and 19 months since he was killed.”
“Alan’s attempt at gardening was mowing the grass, and taking care of a palm tree he’d planted in the garden.
He even covered it in bubble wrap in winter to protect it from the frost.
It was summer 2014 when it first started flowering and I said to Lucy, ‘Take some photos, show your dad when he comes home’.
“He never came home.
“It has started flowering again now. It will always be Alan’s tree.”
In all here, tonight, there was a determination to remember Alan for the good that he did, and the way he took care of people.
Barbara Keeley MP added: “It is a wonderful idea to site this tribute garden in a place where people walk their dogs and children play, where everyone can see this and continue to remember Alan in the way we should, as a true son of Salford.”
