Church to remember five-year-old Dunblane victim

A church will dedicate a snowdrop memorial to a schoolgirl from the parish who died in the Dunblane massacre 30 years ago.

On 13 March 1996, five-year-old Charlotte Dunn was one of 17 shot dead when a gunman entered the primary school's gym and began firing indiscriminately.

Her family moved to Dunblane from Cradley, Halesowen, in the West Midlands, a few months before the killings.

St Peter's Church in Cradley said it would be remembering all those who died in the tragedy during a service at 15:30 GMT on Friday as well as praying for their community and families.

Charlotte was described by teachers at her previous school, Cradley Church of England Primary, as a lovely bright, bubbly girl who was full of promise.

She and school friend Melissa Currie had a joint funeral service in Dunblane Cathedral.

St Peter's Church lights a candle each year on the anniversary of Charlotte's death.

In a message on Facebook, staff extended "a special invitation to anyone who knew Charlotte" to join its special remembrance service.

They said the congregation would be giving thanks for the Snowdrop Campaign and improvements since in firearms legislation.

They invited people to drop in from 15:15, light a candle and stay for refreshments afterwards.

"Do pray for Charlotte's family, the families of her classmates and teacher and our Church School," the message said.

The church will be flying Scotland's national flag, the Saltire, and have its tower lit up white, like a snowdrop.

In 2024, the Dunn family visited St Peter's to present an award in remembrance of their daughter to a Year Five pupil at Cradley school.

The Charlotte award is presented to pupils who embody the school's values, even in times of challenge.

On the day of the massacre, Thomas Hamilton entered Dunblane Primary School with four handguns and 743 rounds of ammunition.

He opened fire on children who had been skipping round the gym hall before turning the gun on himself.

It remains the deadliest firearms atrocity ever committed in the UK.

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