Twenty years after gun fanatic Thomas Hamilton opened fire in a primary school in Dunblane, Scotland, the community are paying tribute to the 17 people lost in the senseless massacre which stunned the public back in 1996.

While no official events are being held to mark the sombre anniversary, it is understood that church services will be held in the Stirlingshire town as the community comes together to remember the teacher and her 16 young students who lost their lives on a cold, snowy March morning twenty years ago.

45-year-old Gwen Mayor was teaching her Primary One students in the gym of the highly-regarded primary school when Stirling-native, Hamilton, who was carrying 700 rounds of ammunition, burst in and shattered the lives of dozens before taking his own life.

 


Commenting on the event which led the UK government to enforce some of the strictest firearms legislation in the world, Rev Colin Renwick, minister at Dunblane Cathedral said: "The tragic events of March 13 1996 will long be remembered in Dunblane and there has not been a day since when there has been no remembrance of those lost, injured, bereaved or traumatised."

Opening up about the services which will be held to remember the five and six-year-old children and their teacher, he continued: "During these various services, there will be an opportunity for those who gather to remember and to pray for continuing strength and peace."

With global media having descended on the small Scottish town on one of the darkest days in Scottish history, word of the tragic event soon reached countries wide and far.

Thanking the wider public for their support - both at the time and in the intervening years - Rev Renwick spoke on the town's behalf, telling the media that the people of Dunblane "appreciate the support and prayers of others throughout the world."

 

Our thoughts are with each and every single person affected by the horrifying events of March 1996.

 

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