MORE than 150 people of all ages and backgrounds came together in Sanders Park earlier today for this year’s Bromsgrove Holocaust Memorial Day service.
In the introduction, Bromsgrove District Council chairman, Coun Rod Laight, reminded those gathered the event was to remember those who died in the Nazi persecution and genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
A reflection speech was given by Rev Ray Khan, prayers of penitence were led by Kevin Dicks, Bromsgrove District Council’s CEO, and an Act of Commitment led by Deputy Lieutenant Sir Nicholas Lechmere Bt.
Coun Rod Laight laying the wreath as Town Crier Kevin Ward looks on. Picture by Tristan Harris. Copyright Bullivant Media.
Aksa Khan, from the Bromsgrove Muslim Community Association, spoke about remembering those who had died because of genocide and the importance of defending those not strong enough to defend themselves.
Remembering family members
And Coun Adrian Kriss gave a very personal speech about his mum Rita and her sister Inga, German Jews who were forced to flee to England in 1939 on the ‘Kindertransport’ when they were just seven and ten years old respectively.
Coun Adrian Kriss. Picture by Tristan Harris. Copyright Bullivant Media.
He also detailed the treatment of his grandfather and grandmother at the hands of the Nazis, even though they saw themselves as Germans.
The windows of their homes were smashed by German soldiers, along with glassware and records.
They ‘made a decision no parents should ever have to make’ to send their children to the UK for safety and would never see each other again.
He added: “My grandfather died in 1942 in a hard labour camp for laying a hand on a person of Aryan race.
“My grandmother was murdered in Auschwitz in 1943 for nothing more than being a Jew.”
He also spoke about the killings and destruction going on in Ukraine, praising British families and people who had opened up their homes again to those seeking sanctuary.
A poignant stone designed by pupils from schools across Bromsgrove. Picture by Tristan Harris. Copyright Bullivant Media.
Students from North and South Bromsgrove High Schools took centre stage with musical performances.
During these, pupils from schools across the district placed decorated stones with powerful messages on them in the flowerbed that houses the Holocaust Memorial plaque.
Coun Laight laid a wreath at the plaque and there was also a two-minute silence punctuated by The Last Post, played by Sophia Meadows from Bromsgrove School.
Sophia Meadows played The Last Post while the standard was lowered. Picture by Tristan Harris. Copyright Bullivant Media.
Afterwards, Coun Kriss said: “I think every year it’s wonderful to see more and more people partaking in Bromsgrove’s Holocaust Memorial Day.”
Aksa added: “As always, it was a very moving memorial service – it’s so important to remember those who died in The Holocaust and to raise awareness.
“It unifies us as a group of humans – I feel our race, colour and differences enrich us.”
