Havering remembers victims of the Holocaust at special service
Over one hundred people turned out to mark Holocaust Memorial Day at a special service and reception in Romford on Sunday 22 January.
The remembrance event was organised by the Council and was held at the Holocaust War Memorial in Coronation Gardens, Main Road.
The service gave people an opportunity to remember victims of the Holocaust, Nazi persecution and subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
Attendees were welcomed by the Mayor of Havering, Councillor Philippa Crowder, before being addressed by Rabbi Lee Sunderland, of Romford & District Synagogue.
The Mayor said: “The borough organises this event to make our residents aware of something that we should never forget. It really helps to emphasise the need to take every opportunity we are given to end discrimination and build bridges with people from all backgrounds.
“I would like to thank everyone that attended, with special thanks to Rabbi Lee Sunderland for a fantastic and moving service.”
At the service, Havering Deputy Lieutenant, Colonel Mark Bryant gave a reading titled: Chorus of the Rescued by Nelly Sach. There were also reflections by Reverend Mike Powers, of St Edward the Confessor Church in Romford Market Place, and music from the Marshalls Park School Choir.
Following the service, there was a reception at Romford and District Synagogue, which was attended by Havering Council Leader, Councillor Roger Ramsey, Romford MP, Andrew Rosindell, and Councillor Philippa Crowder, Mayor of Havering.
In her address at the reception, Cllr Crowder praised 16-year-old Hannah Turnbull – winner of the Havering Young Artist 2016 competition. The winning work of art, which is called Starred, is a dress based on the diary of Anne Frank. The bodice is covered with yellow Stars of David and the skirt represents the striped uniform (now known as striped pyjamas) worn by concentration camp prisoners. Beneath the skirt is a hooped petticoat of barbed wire and fencing. The dress was displayed at the reception and is currently on display in the foyer at the Town Hall.
Holocaust Memorial Day, which takes place on January 27 each year, commemorates the liberation of the Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz-Bireknau in January 1945. Memorial services are held throughout the UK on or around this day.