A memorial service in recognition of Holocaust Memorial Day will take place in the Princess Diana Gardens, Radipole Park Drive, Weymouth on Tuesday 27 January.
The service will begin at 10.30am at the Holocaust memorial tree, planted near to Alexandra Bridge, donated by local resident Tony Hamm.
The memorial service will be hosted by the Mayor of Weymouth & Portland Cllr Kate Wheller with prayers and readings being led by the Rev. Tim Gomm of Portland joined by religious faith representatives from the local community.
All members of the public are welcome to attend the Weymouth Holocaust Memorial Service. Local councillors and Friends of the Parks will also be represented.
Holocaust Memorial Day on Tuesday 27 January is the annual day of remembrance for the victims and survivors of the Holocaust and subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, Darfur and Tibet. It marks the day in 1945 when the Auschwitz–Birkenau extermination camp was liberated.
The theme for Holocaust Memorial Day this year is ‘Keep the Memory Alive’.
Weymouth & Portland Borough Council Social Inclusion brief holder, Cllr Francis Drake said: “This service is a chance for people to come along and pay their respects to the victims of the Holocaust and other genocides.
“I am pleased that the council can facilitate important events such as this on Holocaust Memorial Day.”
As well as the service on Tuesday 27 January, a Holocaust Memorial Day display will be on show at Weymouth Library from Monday 26 January to Monday 2 February. The display has been set up by Barbara Cohen of the South West Dorset Multicultural Network and friends
The South West Dorset Multicultural Network have also organised a free event on Friday 30 January at the Corn Exchange, High West Street, Dorchester from 12.30pm-1.30pm. There will be a range of speakers including the Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill and Harry Grenville who came to the UK from Germany as part of the Kindertransport. They will be speaking about the experiences of people during the Holocaust and reminding us of our duty to keep the memory alive. All are welcome to attend and free refreshments will be served.
For more information about the Dorchester event please contact Emma Scott on 01305 252204 or [email protected].
For more information about Holocaust Memorial Day visit www.hmd.org.uk
