Shoreham marks 10th anniversary of airshow disaster with memorial service

Families, friends, emergency workers and the Shoreham community gathered to mark the 10th anniversary of the Shoreham Airshow disaster, which claimed 11 lives in 2015.

A packed memorial service was held at St Nicolas Church, where candles were lit in remembrance, and hundreds gathered at the Old Tollbridge for a minute’s silence at the exact time of the crash.

The service included the reading of the victims’ names as families lit 11 candles on the altar, followed by a 12th candle in honour of all those affected by the tragedy. Reverend Pat Alden told the congregation that the disaster had left a lasting impact, while Deacon Julie Newson spoke of the trauma felt not only by the bereaved but also by the emergency workers who attended the crash scene on the A27.

Tributes were read by Denise Morris, sister of victim Mark Reeves, on behalf of all the families. She reflected on the shared grief and the way their lives had been changed forever, emphasising that the victims “should have aged another ten years, as we all have here today.” Flowers were also laid in memory of the 11 men, whose loss continues to be deeply felt across the community.