Funeral of North Walsham hit-and-run victim Alfie Brown, 13

As the cortege passed through the town’s Market Place and towards St Nicholas’ Church this morning (September 4), Alfie’s family wore Nirvana t-shirts – a tribute to one of his favourite bands – and his friends, who he spent hours with at the local skate park, followed on their bikes and scooters.

The funeral of Alfie Brown at North Walsham's St Nicholas’ Church, in Market Place, on Monday, September 4 (Image: Sonya Duncan)

The funeral of Alfie Brown at North Walsham's St Nicholas’ Church, in Market Place, on Monday, September 4 (Image: Sonya Duncan)

The funeral of Alfie Brown at North Walsham's St Nicholas’ Church, in Market Place, on Monday, September 4 (Image: Sonya Duncan)

The community, devastated by the tragic death of a local boy with his whole life ahead of him,

Community members turned out in force to pay their respects to a local boy who had his whole life ahead of him - despite the sunshine it was one of the town's darkest of days. 

Alfie’s scooter, draped in flowers, stood at the front of the church as mourners filled its pews.

As Alfie’s coffin was carried through the arched doors ‘Drain You’ by Nirvana was played – the first of several songs included in the service in homage to Alfie’s love of music.

READ MORE: 'We miss him and love him': Tribute to 13-year-old hit-and-run victim Alfie

The funeral of Alfie Brown at North Walsham's St Nicholas’ Church, in Market Place, on Monday, September 4 (Image: Sonya Duncan)

The funeral of Alfie Brown at North Walsham's St Nicholas’ Church, in Market Place, on Monday, September 4 (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Rev David Warner, who conducted the service, said there was a “community united in grief and mourning”, as parents gently consoled their children – Alfie’s friends - who rested their heads on each other’s shoulders.

Alfie’s siblings read a heartfelt poem, and in a tribute read out from his dad, Andrew Brown, he said he had bought Alfie a guitar which he hopes to learn to play so they can play together when they meet again someday.

READ MORE: The Cedars in North Walsham's New Road set to reopen

The funeral of Alfie Brown at North Walsham's St Nicholas’ Church, in Market Place, on Monday, September 4 (Image: Sonya Duncan)

The funeral of Alfie Brown at North Walsham's St Nicholas’ Church, in Market Place, on Monday, September 4 (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Alfie died when he was hit by a white Ford Ranger truck while cycling home to North Walsham from Knapton on the evening of Thursday, August 10.

James Gosden, head teacher at North Walsham High School, which Alfie attended, said he was a “wonderful young man” who will be “dearly missed”.  

“Do not judge a biography by its length, or its number of pages,” he said.

“Judge it by the way it touches and lives its soul.”

Alfie Brown (Image: Andrew Brown)