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East Farleigh's Gordon Newton installs new memorial to murder victim Stephen Lawrence

16:53, 18 April 2019

updated: 20:23, 18 April 2019

The granite memorial to murdered black teenager Stephen Lawrence has been renewed - thanks to a stone mason from East Farleigh.

He was killed on April 22, 1993 in south east London during in racially motivated attack while waiting for a bus in Well Hall, Eltham.

Appalled by his death, Gordon Newton, together with his daughter Elaine, from The Stone Shop at East Farleigh, donated the first memorial.

Stephen Lawrence
Stephen Lawrence

Shamefully, shortly after it was installed it was vandalised.

The Stone Shop replaced it in 1995. Over the years, more damage has occurred and the Newton family decided to replace it again, as they had vowed to do 26 years ago.

The new memorial was installed today, in time for the 26th anniversary of the murder.

Gordon Newton and the memorial stone
Gordon Newton and the memorial stone

By way of a thank-you, Stephen's mother, Baroness Lawrence, has personally invited the Newtons to the launch of The Stephen Lawrence Research Centre at De Montfort University on May 9.

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