A moving but simple ceremony in the Memorial Gardens, Grays, marked the 66th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp and National Holocaust Day on Thursday (27 January).
Dozens of people — including politicians, council officers, schoolchildren and members of the public — braved the snow flurries to remember the World War Two Holocaust and genocides since.
Mayor of Thurrock, Cllr Anne Cheale, opened the service and Council Leader, Cllr John Kent also spoke of the importance of never forgetting what happened and actively working against intolerance and prejudice.
The message was supported by Thurrock’s two MPs, Jackie Doyle-Price and Stephen Metcalfe, who also told of their own experiences fighting bigotry, working with refugees, and visiting memorials in Europe and Israel.
Jewish prayers of faith were read to the audience and a Statement of Commitment was lead by the Rev Darren Barlow and read aloud by everyone.
A pebble-laying ceremony was followed by the Last Post, a minute’s silence, the National Anthem and then the event was closed by Cllr Lynn Worrall, portfolio holder for Community, Culture and Leisure, and Graham Farrant, Thurrock Council’s Chief Executive.
National Holocaust Day has been marked in Thurrock every year since 2003.
