Community remembers tragic death five years on

This month marked the five year anniversary of Billy Dove’s death, a popular local lad who attended Kings Langley School who was tragically stabbed on November 6, 2011. Apsley local Billy, who was 21, attended Kings Langley School and was loved by many in the community. Around 4,000 people turned out for a remembrance event shortly after his death and many continue to remember him today. Since that tragic day, family and friends have ensured Billy’s death was not in vain. Charity Billy’s Wish was set up by his father Paul to tackle knife crime in Dacorum and has won the Crimebeat Award for Hertfordshire. Football team AFC Doves United was set up by Billy’s friends in 2012 and, four years later, won their local league in May this year. An award at Kings Langley School named after Billy was also set up for those who support fellow pupils. On a Facebook page dedicated to his son, Paul Dove wrote on the day of the five year anniversary: “Five years ago on a Saturday, life was normal; in the early hours, that all changed. I received that heartbreaking call that no parent should ever receive. A call to tell me that my son Billy, my only child, had been murdered. Everything taken from him, his hopes, dreams and wishes. “Life will never be the same without my boy. But I just want thank my family, friends, the public and more importantly Billy’s friends for being there and helping keep my Billy’s memory alive. Hear more about what’s happening in your local community in the December edition of MyKingsNews, which will be distributed on December 2.