A MOVING family-friendly service for the seven-year-old Osbaston pupil who was fatally injured in a collision last month has taken place.

Described as a restless wonderful ball of energy, the service for Samuel Barker was held at Monmouth Comprehensive School and attended by pupils, governors and teachers from Osbaston Church in Wales School, and members of the public.The poignant service was led by Rev Jonathan Greaves and heard tributes from his headteacher Catherine Jones, Mrs Nicola Beavan Deputy Head and Y2 class teacher, Samuel’s parents Cat and Jim Barker and a video presentation of memories of Sam from fellow pupils.His headteacher, Mrs Catherine Jones, was visibly moved when she spoke of Sam’s short time at their school, and the impact he made on everyone that came into contact with him."Samuel loved being in school, the playground was an opportunity for him to run around and have fun with others," she said. In Reception class, he was always busy making construction models and in Year 1 he was "an entrusted ICT aid, setting up the computers and logging on ready for others to use and always being there to help others when needed. He was a very valued pupil, a fundamental part of our school family," she said.His dad, apologising for the tears in his eyes then said he would remember Samuel as ever-restless "like a Duracell bunny that kept going and going".His mum, Cat, added that as much as he liked being on the move "Samuel also loved being with people"."He loved being the centre of attention; a natural born performer," she said.His dad described him as "full of energy and occasionally disobedient as he was, Samuel’s experience at school was a bit of a surprise to us. Regularly seen with messy hair and muddy knees there could be no doubt he squeezed the most out of a school day. For Samuel, a tree was there to be climbed, a puddle to splash in. Life was for living, and living to the full.".Cat said: "In the face of our tragedy Jim and I want everyone to know that we see hope. Jim and I see and believe a glorious future, a place where God’s children have gathered together and he wipes every tear away from our eyes. As Samuel himself proclaimed in his psalm there will be no hurt in heaven. Our dear wish is that everyone will possess the same hope that we do."