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| The memory of Alice Gross lives on in Hanwell |
The second largest manhunt took place since the 7/7 London bombings when a 14-year-old local Hanwell girl, Alice Gross, went missing on 28 August. It took specialist teams more than a month to find her body. It was wrapped in plastic and found in an underwater grave in the Grand Union canal 15 minutes away from where I live. On 4 October convicted killer Arnis Zalkans, the prime suspect in her murder, was found hanged nearby in Boston Manor Park, four weeks after he was reported missing.
While people debated why the police took so long to find the body of Alice and why Arnis Zalkans's conviction of murdering his first wife in 1997 wasn't identified when he first entered the UK in 2007, my thoughts turned to the strength of the community spirit that shone through and became clear from seeing my fellow Hanwell residents come together in such devastating times. Earlier, after the local girl had gone missing, the community of Hanwell on behalf of her family, started a local campaign to Find Alice. This soon drew national attention through the extensive media coverage that developed following the murder. The whole of the UK's hearts became filled with hope and together united with Hanwell for the same cause, to find Alice.
Throughout the weeks following Alice going missing, Hanwell became dressed with yellow ribbons, a symbol of hope. These could be seen tied around posts, trees scattered along main roads, residential streets. Posters of Alice were visible on trees, in the windows of shops, houses, local businesses and tied to the entrance of parks and open spaces, including Elthorne Park, next to my flat.
Despite feeling vunerable during the period leading up to the discovery of Arnis Zalkans's body in Boston Manor Park in October, especially when walking home on my own past Elthorne Park, knowing that my neighbours were all united and actively pulling together while the search continued made me feel safe.
I have lived in Hanwell, a small village nestled in the borough of Ealing, since 1997. Hanwell is famous for where the Marshall amps story began, with regular visitors to Hanwell including legendary musicians Jimi Hendrix and Pete Townsend. Having lived in London for nearly 20 years, with 17 of these in Hanwell, I have seen people come and go and the community of Hanwell morph and change over the years. The one lesson I have learnt from the recent murder of Alice Gross is how something so tragic can only fuel more strength within a local community and bring everyone together both young and old, including people who have lived in Hanwell for years and those who are new to the area.
People often think that living in London must be an isolated and unfriendly experience but I often tell people it is not. I have made many friends over the 20 years I have lived in London. Some of my best friends I met when they were my neighbour, or from chatting at the local bus stop on my way to work each day. When people visit me in Hanwell they always say they have been made to feel welcome by the people they meet.
Wherever you live, feeling that you are part of a community is important. Today, the yellow ribbons, flowers, messages and candles still lie beside Hanwell's Clock Tower.The murder of local girl Alice Gross has highlighted to both the national media and to the UK as a whole how strong and alive the local community spirit is in Hanwell W7. RIP Alice Gross.
