Funeral held for Bristol tandem couple Ross and Clare Simons killed in Hanham

HUNDREDS of family and friends paid tribute to Ross and Clare Simons - the couple who were killed when their tandem bike was in collision with a car allegedly being chased by police in Hanham.

Around 400 people - most of whom were wearing brightly coloured clothes - gathered at Westerleigh Crematorium on Friday morning for their joint funeral.

Their two coffins, covered in white roses, were laid side-by-side in a hearse as it entered the grounds behind another hearse carrying the couple’s names in flowers.

Ross, 34, and Clare, 30, described by friends as “a perfect couple”, had been married for a year-and-a-half and were about to begin fertility treatment.

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The couple, from Fishponds, died at the scene of the crash in Lower Hanham Road on Sunday, January 27.

Mourners entered the chapel to Heaven (candlelight mix) by DJ Sammy, which had been played at the couple’s wedding.

The funeral was led by The Rev Peter Cook, from Hanham Baptist Church, who has been in touch with the pair’s families since their death.

There was a reading by Ross’s sister Kelly Woodruff before the congregation sang All Things Bright and Beautiful.

Tom Williams, Ross’s best man at their wedding, and family friend Steve Cann also did readings.

Endless Love by Lionel Richie and Diana Ross was played while family and friends were given time to reflect on the pair’s love for each other.

The Lord’s Prayer and the final blessing were read before Heaven by DJ Sammy was again played as mourners went to lay flowers.

White rose petals were dropped over the pair’s coffins as mourners filed out.

The Order of Service contained the words “Love, Laugh, Live” - a phrase the couple lived by - and mourners were asked to make any donation to The Bristol Clinic for reproductive medicine at North Bristol NHS Trust.

Mr Cook spoke afterwards to say the funeral was “very beautiful and moving”.

**Nicholas Lovell, 38, of West Street, Oldland Common has been charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving.