Come on England! Let's get ready to rock 'n; roll tomorrow.

It took a long time, but I eventually got Jade into football. I think it was the beer that was more attractive than the game.

We had thin red, white and blue ribbons in our pigtails lol

Very, very happy times in The Farm (King Alfred) xxx

The last time we went to Salou we stayed at the Michelangelo Apartments.

It's weird, because I had actually booked me and Helen into another hotel, but it was so bad (a box with 2 beds in and nothing else) that I immediately got onto the internet to book another hotel. And guess where we got? That's right, the Michelangelo Apartments. Within a couple of hours of landing in Spain, we walked into that apartment. It was like going back in time. I half expected you to come waltzing out of the bathroom lol

Another weird thing was that I couldn't find the safe receipt from the first hotel which meant I couldn't get my money back. We'd been in the apartment a short while when Helen shouted me into the living room to show me something. There on top of the sofa was the receipt. It looked like it had just been ironed. That in itself was unusual because I always fold receipts up and put them in my purse until I can put them somewhere else.

But how on Earth had it got there? I'd gone straight into the bedroom with my case. Helen and myself were gobsmacked. I know it was you lol xxx

On our first night we visited the nightclub you went to every night. It was great, although the name of it is now Bus Stop and I'm sure it was 007 before. I remember being scared every night you went out because of how busy the roads were and the sound of ambulance and police sirens screeching all night every night. On the final night of our holiday you told me you didn't have to cross that road. I was so relieved I laughed so hard.

Because you couldn't come with us on this holiday I wore my locket containing your hair. I went onto the beach and wrote your name. I took the photograph just as the sea was rushing in. One second later and part of it would have been washed away.

I miss you so much xxx Wish you were here xxx

Once again there was a fantastic turnout for your fun day and I believe that this year was our best yet. The weather was beautiful and the whole community turned out in support. It was a huge success! This was the line-up:

OUTSIDE:
12 -6pm Amber Sound FM Roadshow hosted by Dave Maurice
3pm Balloon release
Free bouncy castle for kids
Penalty shootout
Hook a duck
Burger van
Side stalls
Raffle, Tombola and more!
INSIDE:
2-3pm Bezz, Dave & Helen performing sounds from the 80's
4pm Adult magician/comedian
5pm Denise Ahlforshartshorne - female vocalist
7:30pm onwards - Blu - Singer, karaoke and games.

I brought you champagne and flowers today. You loved champagne and if it is available up in heaven I know you will have had a glass of it in your hand today.

I have been raising money in Jade's name for the Jason Spencer Trust. The first fundraiser was on what would have been Jade's 31st birthday on Saturday 29th June 2013. To date I have raised nearly £8,000. The money has helped to create The Serenit Lodge...

"The Serenity Lodge" - The serenity lodge when fully completed will be a place of total relaxation, calm, tranquility and ease. A place of quite contemplation, reflection and the much needed respite that nearly all bereaved families need. The aim of 'The Jason Spencer Trust's Serenity Project' is to provide FREE weekend breaks to the bereaved, as well as helping to provide both summer & winter get togethers for the whole group to enjoy! When completed bereaved families from up & down the country will not only be able to enjoy the beautiful natural yet modern decor of the lodge along with its many anticipated relaxing perks e.g. large undercover out door BBQ seating area and undercover Hot tub BUT also the many outdoor pursuits that awaits them in the surrounding area, from peaceful & serene walks through the delightful enchanted woods to exciting leisurely bike rides, or even a fun game of tennis on the large lawns or maybe you might fancy a trip into the local town, where by you will find many things on offer! But for us, just being able to sit outside with a good book, a freshly made cup of tea along with some gentle soft music playing in the background amongst the many different wild plants, flowers & trees whilst watching & listening to the birds busy tweeting away and watching the pale blue sky & the fluffy white clouds go slowly drifting by, is something that cant be beat!. Being surround by nature in total peace & quite is transcending, soul lifting, rejuvenating and just what the doctor ordered in our busy lives. At the 'Serenity' it doesn't matter if it Rains or Shines, Snows or Gales, every season there is filled with magic! It is truly a serene place to visit or to stay! a place where new beginnings start to emerge both in mind, body and soul. In 2015 we hope to be able to welcome our very first family, but of course we have some way to go yet, with that being said, we endure to put every single ounce of our loving energy into creating & completing our project in the hope it will provide for many bereaved families within our country a natural & relaxing place of total serenity!

- The Jason Spencer Trust.

It's coming up to December and of course Christmas. You didn't think much to Santa when we went to see him. You screwed your nose up at him lol
Christmas wasn't about just Christmas day to us, it was about the whole of December. As soon as December hit us, the tree would be up and surrounded by loads of presents. Every day you were allowed to open one, which I would then replace with another. On Christmas Day you would open all of them. We carried that on right up until you were taken. That's why I hate December so much.
You were 29 when we had our last Christmas, but the look on your face when you opened up a present was magic for me to see. I miss seeing your beautiful face and dazzling smile so much.
The medium I went to see last night told me quite a few things but one that she emphasised was that you were telling me you want me to have a good Christmas. I don't know how I am going to do that, but I will have to try.
I love you and miss you so much xxx

When we got back from living abroad we went up to the Red Lion (the name had actually changed to Romans by then) and decided to treat ourselves to a small bottle of Lanson Champagne each. If we had drunk it from champagne flutes (did they have any?) we would probably have been called snobs, so we sat there drinking it straight from the bottle.

Proper classy birds lol

Mine and Jade's favourite flowers were white lillies, so it was only natural to cover her coffin with them and red roses.

It looked so beautiful xxx

I would like to thank all my friends and those I don't really know for supporting and helping me through the past 15 months which has been the most difficult time of my life.

Some of you have heard my tears and put up with my silences and I thank you for your understanding, in particular my gaming crew who have been a rock and also Angela and John of the Jason Spencer Trust who have been there for me 24/7.

Nothing will bring Jade back and his sentence will never be enough, but the Judge gave her murderer the maximum he was able to give under British Law - a life sentence with him serving a minimum of 20 years before he can apply for parole - so we have to be satisfied and try to rebuild our new lives.

THANK YOU for helping to keep me sane!

Have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!

A man who admitted the murder of his ex-girlfriend has been jailed for life.

Cornelius Brown, 23, of Greenhill Lane, Riddings pleaded guilty to stabbing Jade Riley-Ward in Somercotes, Derbyshire earlier this year.

Ms Riley-Ward, 30, suffered more than 80 stab wounds in the attack at her home in September 2012, which the judge described as "torture".

Judge Jonathan Teare described Brown as "intensely jealous" and "possessive". He will serve a minimum of 20 years.

'Pointless death'

At Nottingham Crown Court, Judge Teare told Brown: "You were intensely jealous and intensely possessive of her.

"She was defenceless. Your attack on Jade was vicious and prolonged and it would not be wrong to describe it as torture.

"The whole family is devastated by her pointless death at such a young age when she had so much to look forward to."

The court heard Ms Riley-Ward had been Brown's babysitter when he was younger and they had been in a relationship for eight months.

Judge Teare said Brown had "convinced himself" that she was having an affair. He attacked her with four kitchen knives.

Speaking after the sentencing, Det Ch Insp Karen Pearson from the East Midlands Specialist Operations Unit, said: "The last 14 months has been horrendous for the family.

"Their whole world has fallen apart.

"Today's sentence won't bring Jade back but they can now continue in their recovery from the grief knowing he [Brown] has got the justice he deserves."

One of my friends lit this candle and kept it burning all day on 22nd September 2013.

On Saturday 29th June 2013, on what would have been Jade's 31st birthday, I organised a Charity Fun Day in honour of Jade. The proceeds of which would go mainly to the Jason Spencer Trust with a small portion going to Race 4 Life.

Between myself and Jade's friends we managed to raise £3,525.44 in total.

The total amount raised was £3,525.44

The main draw ticket sales and online donations at BT Donate were for the Jason Spencer Trust and that made £2,724.50

The remaining £800.94 was split between the Jason Spencer Trust and Race 4 Life.

Therefore, the Jason Spencer Trust received £3,124.97
Race 4 Life received £400.47

Here's to next year

This photo was taken at our leaving party at our local pub, Romans, just before we went off for a new life in Mallorca XXX

One year ago you were taken away. You  are never out of all our thoughts.

For months I looked for a pink rose for my garden in memory of Jade, but they were either a wishy-wasy pink or far too vivid.

One day, while I was out shopping, I came across a box with a picture of a pure white rose on; it contained nothing but a stick a couple of inches long. I bought it, brought it home and planted it in a lovely terracotta pot on my decking.

Within weeks it grew to the size you see on the picture above.

It looks beautiful and smells wonderful; just like Jade.

Our favourite haunt was the Farm. I was so proud of Jade; she always looked so beautiful and her radiance filled the building.

Jade called round after work and I presented her with her birthday cake.

Jade's birthday is on the 29th June and she would have been 31, so in her honour I am hosting a charity fun day. The proceeds will be divided into two. As Jade had just completed the Race for Life run for breast cancer, one half will go to that charity. The other half will go to the Jason Spencer Trust.

The Jason Spencer Trust was set up to support families bereaved due to murder and manslaughter, and to tackle knife crime.  After years of fighting they have opened one of the very few support centres in Britain for families bereaved due to violent crime. A branch in Jade's home town will be opened to cover our area in the near future.

Without the help of the Jason Spencer Trust I would have had no one to turn to. They have been a tower of strength for me and Angela and John have become very good friends. So, I have set up a donation page specifically for the Jason Spencer Trust. If any of you would like to contribute, no matter how small the amount, it would be gratefully appreciated.

Here is the link  https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/jaderileyward

We already had one dog but when Jade heard someone was getting rid of a litter quickly she just had to have one. So, along came Kai.

Kai had spent the first 4 months of his life locked away; he had never been outside and was very withdrawn. We had no idea what had happened to him in those months, but he just wasn't right; you couldn't put your face anywhere near his or he'd snarl and snap at you.

It took us weeks to coax Kai out the back door and into the garden, but he got there and gradually came out of his shell, but we never trusted him. Although Kai slept with Jade at night she was never able to cuddle him or play with him like you usually would with a dog and as he got older she grew scared of him.

Kai grew up to be a big, strong and at times a very intimidating dog, so when Jade bought a house and moved into it she left Kai with me. Kai is very protective over me. If anyone comes to the house he goes wild and I have to put him into a different room and he doesn't calm down until they have gone.

I believe if Jade had taken him with her she would still be here today. Maybe Kai would have been killed trying to protect her, but Jade would still be here breathing God's fresh air. Of that I have absolutely no doubt.

At the time I would have thought it very odd and quite disturbing to see someone filming my daughter's funeral, but as time is passing I wished I had a picture of the beautiful carriage that took my baby to her final resting place.

I mentioned it to my cousin, Debbie, who told me that her husband had discreetly taken some footage. I was so pleased I started to cry and she thought she had upset me, but she hadn't; I just couldn't wait to see what he'd captured.

Debbie came round a couple of weeks later with a dvd of bits and bobs and I made this short video by re-arranging and editing the footage and adding some music.

I know that some of Jade's closest friends never got to see Jade arrive in her horse-drawn carriage because they were busy in church arranging a few things for me, so this movie is dedicated to them.

Special thanks goes to Kate and Danielle for being very beautiful people who are now becoming my very good friends xxx

In February 2004 me and Jade went to live in Mallorca. We stayed in a hotel for two weeks while I secured a deal to a 10 year lease on a bar.

We called it Lashes Bar, after one of Jade's favourite dj's - Lisa Lashes.

Once we got Lashes up and running it was difficult to travel from our apartment in Magaluf every day so I rented a house just 100 yards from the bar.

We'd been out one day and we decided it was easier to go the back way to the bar instead of walking all the way around. There was just one problem. We had to face a mountain of steps.

As we got to the bottom of the steps we looked at each other and one of us said 'race ya'.

We both ran as fast as we could, laughing our heads off and as we got near the top our legs were like jelly and we collapsed in fits of hysterics.

The steps are different now. It looks like elf -n-safety have ordered them to be made safe, but at the time it was one continuous flight, and believe me, they were steep!

Jade used to spend some of her summer holiday with me while she was still at school. We often went swimming and one swimming trip remains in my mind. She had just had her ears pierced and was very proud of her new ear rings. Of course the inevitable happenned, she lost an ear ring. She came to me very upset because she had lost her new ear rings. We decided to try and find it. We must have looked a srange sight, 2 middleaged ladies and a teenager attempting to duckdive in the pool. Of course we were not successful and had to replace the ear rings but we had some fun.

Later we were to have more fun swimming with the dolphins in Discovery Cove, Orlando. There is already a picture of Jade with the dolphins so this is one of her with Joe on Captiva Island. 

On the morning that Jade passed away she had decided to keep one of Princess Tia's puppies and call him Junior.

Junior is now living with Mick and Sharon and they have called him... Junior xxx

Cala Bona in Mallorca has been a favourite of the family for many years. It's not fast-paced like Magaluf, it's more laid back, and the scenery is stunning.

Every morning after breakfast we would take a stroll down to the harbour and feed the stray cats that lived amongst the rocks.

The harbour was always full of people with very expensive equipment and one day we turned up with a newly bought, cheap fishing rod. None of the others were catching anything, but we loaded our hook with a mixture of bacon, beans and bread which we kept back from the breakfast table, and within minutes we had caught a red mullet.

Mum reeled the fish in and as Gdad tried to get the fish off the hook a wild cat came from nowhere, dived at the fish and ran into the rocks with it, line and all. It was so funny to see Gdad trying to get the line and hook back and we laughed so hard.

Jade and Jordan were always trying to get the whitest teeth and one of the girls called it their 'tooth-off'.

Tuesday 25th September 2012

After Jade was murdered the photographer sent me a disc full of the photo's she had taken of Jade and her sisters, so I sent her a thank you email. Here is her reply...

Hi Maria

I didn't want our family or Jade's friends to have another black day on their calendar, so I made the decision to bury Jade's ashes on Monday 5th November 2012.

At 2pm, family and friends gathered at the graveside and gave me letters and items to put in the cask with Jade's ashes and my sister-in-law's mother, Pam, who is a minister, conducted a beautiful service before we all headed off for a drink and waited for it to grow dark.

At 4pm we headed off to Alfreton park to set off our fireworks in front of Alfreton Hall.