People attending the service at the memorial. A previously unpublished image.

The memorial garden for the nine Padiham young people killed in the Spanish air disaster last year was dedicated and the stone unveiled on Sunday, 18th April 1971, when about 200 people attended a short but moving service in Memorial Park. The service was conducted by the Rev. L. Cragg, Vicar of St Leonard's Church, Padiham, and the stone was unveiled by Councillor Mrs Sheila Maw, chairman of Padiham Urban District Council, and Mr Eddie Jackson, a surviving member of the all-conquering Britannia Wanderers football team which lost four players and three supporters in the crash. Mr Jackson booked to go on the ill-fated flight, but changed his mind later and stayed at home.

Before the unveiling Councillor Mrs Sheila Maw said: "When a tragedy like this happens in a community such as ours it is our immediate reaction to want to help the bereaved, to share their burden of grief and just do something. This memorial is a magnificent symbol of this sharing. It will stand for generations to tell its story of a day that none of us will ever forget." Money for the cost of erecting the memorial was obtained from the fund set up by Councillor Mrs Maw at the request of relatives of those killed in the crash. Others who took part in Sunday's service were the Rev. R. L. Pritchard, of Nazareth Unitarian Chapel, who represented the Free Churches in the town; and Father P. Reynolds, of St Phillip's RC Church. As well as relatives and friends, several councillors, officials and representatives of various organisations in the town attended.