KEN BENNETT spends Christmas Eve in a village square where a man was tragically killed at the weekend.

THE tiny hand-knitted angel, crafted with love and affection, stands sentinel on the cobbles where a few days earlier a man received fatal injuries...

The historic Square in Uppermill is famed as a focal point for happiness and rejoicing.

Here, just a few weeks ago, 1,500 village dressed in a swathe of red and white uniforms had assembled for a massive, joy-filled fund raising charity Santa Dash.

But now the myriad of lights on the community’s Christmas tree shine on the scene where 34-year-old Daniel Hogan lost his life.

A line of fresh floral tributes and candles burn brightly in the loom of Uppermill Methodist Church. The previous evening, a crowd of family members and villages had paid silent respect to his memory.

And ironically, Rev Gary Ridley, the kind hearted minister who drove the mission to bring the angels to the community with his wife Debbie, found himself leading prayers for the victim and his family at the church’s scheduled carol service on Sunday morning.

He said: “At this very sad and tragic time our uppermost thoughts and prayers are with Daniel’s family.

“Uppermill is a very warm and close knit community and its members will be feeling be huge sense shock and sadness, and we remember all those who have been affected by this terrible incident.”

More than one hundred people, including police, local clergy and ministers, gathered outside the church for a vigil, organised through Churches Together in Saddleworth.

The Rev Canon Sharon Jones, The Church of England Team Rector for Saddleworth, said: “The Saddleworth community is deeply saddened and shocked by the death.

“ We welcome many into Uppermill particularly at weekends and believe everyone should be safe; respecting and looking out for each other and supporting those who are vulnerable for whatever reason.

“The local police are part of our community and we are very grateful for their commitment to those who live and work here and those who visit.

“Our hearts ache for Daniel’s family and for all those affected by this tragedy. They will remain in our thoughts and prayers particularly over the Christmas season.”

Her remarks were echoed by Oldham and Saddleworth Parish Councillor Jamie Curley. “Saddleworth is a close knit and very caring community, “ he said.

“The whole community has been touched by this and as so often in these tragedies the effects ripple out like a stone thrown into a pond.

“It will take a long time to get over this tragedy and obviously for the family they will never get over it and Saddleworth will not forget.”

The village high street was cordoned off immediately after the incedent and remained closed while police and forensic teams carried out detailed examinations.

Butcher Paul Lowcock who had owns Paul’s Quality Meats just a few years from the scene, said: “Everyone is affected by this emotionally . It’s a very difficult time...”

Graham Scholes, whose family has run JW Buckleys bakers for more than 50 years, said: “Customers are finding it difficult to take it all in — particularly so close to Christmas itself.”

Julian Garratt who runs The Village Vault said: “It feels like a cloud has come over the village...”

Former business owner Cllr Pam Byrne, said: “it’s very sad any deaths of young people should happen in the village.

“ We must think and pray for all three families and their friends for whom Christmas will never be the same again.”

And Robert Knotts, chair of Saddleworth Parish council, added: “ Love and joy should abound at this time of year, sadly the tragedy has brought just suffering and grief. My sincere condolences to the sad loss suffered by the family of the victim.”

Meanwhile, around square families busied themselves with last minute Christmas preparations. A breeze rustled the flowers.A shaft of sunlight caught the poignant message tied to the angel. It read: “Shelter my wings...” Daniel Forster, aged 24, of Ashfield Crescent, Springhead and Michael Milligan Nield, also 24, of Society Street, Shaw have both been charged with the murder of 34-year-old Daniel Hogan.

They will appear before Manchester Magistrates Court today (Monday, December 24).