A sombre note at the Holocaust Memorial Service

The Holocaust memorial service was held in an atmosphere of reflection and unity, bringing members of the community together to remember both victims and survivors. Focusing on building generational bridges, commemorating the past and ensuring that its lessons continue to be passed on to future generations.

The service opened with guest speakers who shared personal accounts of their families’ experiences during the Second World War, including life in forced labour camps and the stories of Holocaust survivors whose experiences might otherwise be forgotten.

Guest speaker Cathy Landau shared stories from three Holocaust survivors, speaking about her commitment to ensuring these experiences are heard and preserved. As a member of the Jewish community, she emphasised the importance of remembrance, saying:

 “Through these stories, they deepen our understanding and provide informed perspectives on how we are all equally human beings.”

Another speaker, Gloria Silver, from Generation2Generation, spoke about her father Tony’s experience in a labour camp during the Second World War. She described how prisoners were subjected to brutal physical punishment, including being whipped.

While being transported in cattle cars to an unknown destination, Tony escaped after another man managed to force the door open, allowing Tony and a friend to jump from the moving train. Tony’s friend, unfortunately, did not survive.

Gloria also described how her father then hid his identity and served in the German army using a fake ID, before eventually escaping, walking across the frozen Gulf of Bothnia. Illustrating the resilience and determination required to survive.

In attendance was the Mayor, councillors and approximately 150 local residents. Pupils from Charlton School and Haberdashers’ Abraham Darby School spoke about what they had learned about the Holocaust and how it had affected them personally.

“Children were all in a small room, their laughter buried in the iron gate, a time-worn door, indifferent as it was. Moments do not end without a comment, filling up. In the camera’s modest hands, the charity group passed down their memory. It was shameful of consciousness, it wasn’t in a manner to stare at itself.” – Inspired students from Charlton School.

The presence of multiple schools was seen as a positive sign of ongoing educational engagement. It demonstrated commitment to remembrance and to ensuring that the lessons of the Holocaust continue to be taught and understood.

The service concluded with the lighting of candles followed by a minute’s silence, providing attendees with time to reflect on the stories shared and the historical significance of the Holocaust.

Cllr Paul Davis, Cabinet Member for Communities and Civic Pride, said: “I am deeply proud of how our community came together for Holocaust Memorial Day.

“The courage of survivors like Tony Chuwen and families like Cathy Landau’s in sharing their stories ensures these vital lessons are passed to new generations.

“Our young people’s engagement and commitment to understanding these difficult histories gives me great hope for the future. By bridging generations through education and remembrance, we strengthen our shared values of tolerance, dignity, and respect for all.”

Remembrance, education, and community responsibility. Through survivor testimonies, historical reflection, and the involvement of younger generations, the event honoured those affected by the Holocaust while reinforcing the need to ensure that such atrocities are never forgotten or repeated.