HUNDREDS of people have come together in Charfield to celebrate the life of a popular young man, who was “like a brother” to many in the village.

Jack Jones, 22, was tragically killed following a road collision on Wotton Road in January, an incident that stunned the community.

Since his death, thousands of pounds have been raised in Jack’s memory, helping to fund a new defibrillator for the village.

A service held on Tuesday in St John’s Church, Charfield saw hundreds from the village and the surrounding area, including friends, family and teammates from Charfield AFC, in attendance to pay their respects, with the church filled to capacity within minutes, and many more standing outside in the cold to listen through speakers.

Paying tribute to her son, mum Lea Watson said Jack was “kind”, “funny” and “like a brother to so many people”.

“I can see how much he was loved by so many people here today,” she said, “and from the floral tributes that were left.

“We all knew Jack very differently and I have a deep sense that he belonged to this village and belonged to this community.”

Miss Watson referred to Jack having said he was “a man of his own rules” and that she was glad he lived his own way.

“This is what made him who he was,” she said. “I am proud of you Jack and what you meant to others. It is a testament to who you were.

“Good night to my beautiful boy. You take with you my love, you take with you my heart.” 

Almost poetically as soon as the tribute finished, snow began to fall over the church, which continued throughout, lifting almost the moment it finished.

Also sharing touching tributes were Jack’s friends Jeremy Lewis, George Nute and Harvey Bain who said that Jack was “one of a kind”, “caring, intelligent and witty”, with the ability “to always look on the bright side of life”.

They added that he “would be sadly missed”.

After the ceremony guests were invited back to the Railway Tavern in Charfield to share their memories of Jack.