I was actually interviewed by the police back in 1974 after this horrific crime. I think most males with any connection to the Clifton area were. Although I WAS born in Clifton I lived a couple of miles away in Horfield. I also knew Christopher Jefferies (who was arrested and vilified in the press after the Joanna Yeates murder) way back when.
What is mystifying about this case is the location where Glenis was killed. The party she left was fifteen minutes walk up the road. If she wanted to get some fresh air or make a phone call why not head in the other direction to busy Clifton village? Especially given the power shortages at the time meant that the street lights were minimal in less frequented areas.
The zoo is on the edge of the Downs, a large green area well wooded in places and known as a dodgy area after dark especially for "dogging" and other sexual encounters. The spot where Glenis was found was actually right outside Clifton College Preparatory School.
The murder scene
J
ohn Craven revisiting the scene - he was a local reporter for BBC Points West in 1974
Given that Glenis was from Buckinghamshire and was at college in Bedford - it was her friend Sandra Hardyman who came from Clifton (both were members of the Christian "Fisherfolk" group) - what would she have been doing walking down to this area at night? There was a telephone box there but there were others nearer the house where the party was being held.
"The Fisherfolk were something of a phenomenon in the charismatic movement of the 1970s, as was the community they belonged to, the Community of Celebration. Based in Britain, their worship attracted crowds in churches and cathedrals. Recordings sold in thousands. Christians around the world were inspired to make the attempt at community living.
In the way of such things, however, life moved on. After a while the Fisherfolk became just a memory. But the Community of Celebration did not come to an end. It continued, at times with several branches, slowly evolving over a period of decades. Beginning as an almost hippie-style commune with an international ministry, they gradually became more locally focused and reflective."
Whatever happened toâ¦.? How often do we say that about a personality or group that were always in the news at some time in the past?
www.christiantoday.com
Glenis had apparently been to Bristol before so perhaps she had visited the zoo and knew of the phone box. Is it possible that she had pre-arranged to meet someone there and didn't tell anyone about it? Or was she just wandering aimlessly and was then unfortunately spotted by a prowler who seized his opportunity and attacked her?
