Friday, February 11, 2011

Jo Yeates ' Remembering ' and her parents worst day...RIP Jo xx... may your parents find some comfort in knowing you are now at peace.








'Our worst day' - Struggle for parents of murdered Joanna Yeates as she is laid to rest


PROUD ACHIEVEMENT: This photo, from June 2010, shows Joanna Yeates looking at a piece of work she produced for her postgraduate diploma show.By daniel evans crime correspondent


IT'S a picture that encapsulates the tragedy and loss suffered by David and Theresa Yeates.


Released today by her proud parents, the image captures Bristol landscape architect Joanna Yeates posing playfully with the work that helped her earn a postgraduate diploma.


A happy, gifted student, Joanna made a big impression on her tutors. She had a promising career and her whole life ahead of her. But, just six months later, her strangled body was found next to a roadside in a quiet North Somerset lane.


And today, in a tiny country church, her parents are having to endure what they've called "the worst day of their lives". The day of her funeral. A midday funeral service at St Mark's Church, Ampfield, Hampshire, was expected to attract more than 100 of the landscape architect's friends and family.


Her father David said: "Nothing will ever bring Jo back. We will always have this massive loss in our lives.


"I know time is supposed to heal some things, but I cannot believe anything will ever change our feeling of loss.

"Her funeral will be closure on a certain part of the process we find ourselves in and it is something we have to go through. It will be the worst day of our lives."


Miss Yeates, 25, was last seen alive on December 17, when she walked home to the flat she shared with boyfriend Greg Reardon in Canynge Road, Clifton, after enjoying drinks with colleagues at The Bristol Ram in Park Street. Her body was discovered off Longwood Lane, Failand, on Christmas Day.


Miss Yeates' neighbour, Vincent Tabak, has been charged with her murder.


Last night, Miss Yeates' former lecturer at the University of Gloucestershire described her as a "gifted student".

David Booth, postgraduate programme director for landscape and environment, said: "The university community has been deeply saddened by Joanna's death and our heartfelt condolences are with her family and friends.


"As a student on the postgraduate course in landscape architecture Jo only studied with us for a year, but in that time she made a strong and lasting impression on staff and students alike with the quality and depth of thinking in her work.

"Jo had worked in practice in between studies and continued to work at BDP in Bristol while studying here full-time."


Miss Yeates' final project for BDP, based on Hill Street, was designing gardens for the new £430-million Southmead Hospital.

Mr Booth added: "Jo was one of those students who you can tell would be destined for great things. She was very well liked and admired by her peers, she was a very gifted student and a high achiever."

Restrictions are being put in place to restrict media coverage of today's funeral, including a no-fly zone being set up over the village to prevent television helicopters filming the day from the skies.


Miss Yeates' parents said last night: "We would like to thank the media for all their support and consideration during the past six weeks, from the time when Jo was a missing person.

"As you are aware, this period has been traumatic, to say the least, for both our family and also Greg's family."

Farewell Jo xx
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