The ceremony featured the following speeches:
- Rob Beckley, the High Sheriff of Somerset, spoke about the importance of education and raising awareness in tackling knife crime
- Emma Webber, whose son Barnaby was tragically fatally stabbed, shared her personal story and a powerful message against knife crime
- Councillor James Clayton, North Somerset Council’s executive member for safety in the community, told the history of the Knife Angel statue.
Ryan Abrahams, a Weston College student who designed the Knife Angel North Somerset logo, was also presented with a certificate by the High Sheriff.
The High Sheriff then led the crowd in a minute’s silence, to remember those who have lost their lives to knife crime and violent crime.
The Knife Angel will be leaving Weston-super-Mare at the end of May. To mark the statue’s departure and reflect on its time in North Somerset, the public are invited to attend a closing ceremony on Thursday 30 May.