Thousands of people attend ‘overwhelming’ day of events to honour Owen Jenkins

Video: Owen Jenkins’ brother Jordan led the bikers and laid roses in his memory. 

Thousands of Beeston, Rylands and Chilwell residents attended a 600-strong motorbike ride and vigil by the River Trent to honour 12-year-old Owen Jenkins

A large crowd turned up to pay their respects in a minute’s silence at Beeston Weir on Sunday (July 24), where Owen’s body was tragically recovered by emergency crews.

Owen was seen going under the water near Beeston Marina on Monday, July 10, and it is believed he went in to save a friend. He was found the same evening.

Nottinghamshire bikers’ group, Nottz Bikerz, also organised the ride to the weir, which was led by Owen’s brother Jordan.

Jordan led the convoy of bikers from the Beekeeper Pub, Meadow Lane, at 11.30am to Chilwell School, Queens Road West, where Owen studied.

The bikers also rode to Nottingham Casuals Rugby Club, where Owen played, and the Boats and Horses pub.

Members of the public met the bikers at the Boat and Horses pub, Trent Road, before they gathered at the weir for a minute’s silence.

Malaki Thomas, from Beeston, is a member of the Notts Bikerz group and a close friend of Owen’s family.

OWEN JENKINS
Owen Jenkins.

He said Jordan laid roses at the front of the school for his younger brother and “it was an overwhelming, sad and beautiful day”.

“It was nice to see the local community and other communities and all the bikers that were there,” he said.

“The members that were there were not all from Beeston and the Rylands – there were people from London, Leicester and Derby. It was amazing.”

He added: “There were around 200 bikers at 11.30am at the Beekeeper Pub and there were so many bikes everywhere – I knew there were going to be more than 500 bikers. There were 600 bikers, if not more.

“It was not about the bikers, it was for the Jenkins family; it was the least we could do.”

Owen’s favourite colour was purple and hundreds of residents have tied purple ribbons to their homes to pay their respects to his family.

Malaki added some of the bikers attached purple ribbons to their bikes – and one person had Owen Jenkins written in purple at the front of their bike.

Money was raised for Owen’s family, although it has not yet been counted; and one lady shaved her hair off to raise money.

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