Walking into the Eccles Recreation Ground you are surrounded by the peaceful ambience away from the busy traffic that bustles down Liverpool Road. As you reach the centre of the park you are met with a bespoke centrepiece: surrounded by variety of shrubs, trees and yellow wooden plinths, you walk closer to the memorial of a Salford Hero.
Today there’s a gentle wind and autumnal sunshine – a tranquil respose garlanded with yellow roses that have been placed on the stone plaques, engraved with the following words:
“In Memory of Alan Henning. Who gave his life helping people of all faiths in the their time of need.”
It’s 12 years since the death of Alan Henning was announced – he was murdered in Syria while delivering essential goods and funds to those in need amongst a civil war.
Born and bred in Eccles, Alan, otherwise known as ‘Gadge’, by his friends, was a loving husband, father and respected member in the community – working in the area as a taxicab driver before going into humanitarian work as a volunteer.
Alan was described as very generous man, and it was quite clear his generosity saw no limits. He travelled to Syria amongst other workers to the Turkey-Syria border six times to deliver aid.
When news of his murder broke, the Salford community banded together to pay homage. Days later the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Eccles was filled with hundreds of people from the surrounding community offering their respects.
The parish church was full to the brim, with over 600 people in attendance including Alan’s wife Barbara, daughter Lucy and son Adam.
It is also known that the Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable, the Police and Crime Commissioner, MPs and the Bishop of Manchester were all in attendance. However they arrived with no fanfare and in plain clothes, choosing to pay their tributes as citizens.
The vigil continued from 6:30pm on the Sunday evening and was open to everyone to attend, with candles being lit at the end in honour of the Salford hero.
Joan Seed, the Chair of Churches Together group told us about her experience of the 2014 vigil.
“Nearly 600 with people inside and then there were those outside.”
“Alan was well respected in the local community for being caring and kind to his elderly customers.
“This respect reached other citizens when he made the decision to go abroad to help other people.
“His murder was a huge shock to local people, especially those who he’d helped in his working life.”
Eccles Pastor Bill Green spoke to Sky News in 2014 after the vigils, stating: “The vigil was to give moral support to Alan and his family, as he left here not knowing what his outcome would be.
“We tried to get together people of all faith and no faith to come and show our support for Alan and his family.”
Yellow ribbons were strung across Eccles as a mark of respect towards Alan, demonstrating the sense of unity in Eccles, where his death had struck a major chord.
And this rang true with former Eccles Councillor, Peter Wheeler telling us: “Alan was a very popular man, and well known in the Patricroft area.
“An ordinary guy doing acts of extraordinary kindness.”
Alan was in honoured in 2016. Following discussions with his family, Salford City Council created the memorial park at Eccles Recreation Ground, where people gathered to light candles and hold a silent vigil after news of his murder was revealed.
Due to his work in the past as taxicab driver, a petition was held to rename the Salford Western Gateway to Alan Henning Way. Over 2,000 signatures were gathered and Salford City Council honoured these wishes in 2020.
Salford Mayor Paul Dennett stated: “The new road was chosen for several reasons. It is a vital, international distribution link and an essential part of the Port Salford scheme.
“As the port continues to grow, Alan Henning Way will become an even more important gateway to Salford.
“It will be an honour to see his name on the signs so that his bravery and kindness are never forgotten.”
In 2023 Alan was further honoured with the highest symbol of respect being awarded: the Freedom of the City.
Ceremonial Mayor of Salford, Councillor Ann-Marie Humphreys explained the decision, saying: “It is right that the city provides its highest of honours to Alan Henning who reached out to help people in need from all backgrounds.
“We all should be grateful for people like Alan who put others before themselves. The Freedom of the City is highest honour the city council can give to an individual and Alan certainly fits that category.
“Thank you for all you did Alan.”
