Sandwell residents turn out for Holocaust memorial ceremony
Nearly 70 years have passed since the horrors of the Second World War Nazi Holocaust – but residents in Sandwell turned out for a memorial event to honour those who died.
The ceremony took place at the Memorial Gardens in West Bromwich on Sunday morning.
It was one of hundreds of events across the country to take place to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.
The service was led by Sandwell Council events manager Tony Potter and featured speeches from Sandwell Mayor Councillor Keith Davies and David Allport from a community project in the district called Rewind
A minute's silence was held and then candles were then lit and a wreath was laid in memory of those who died. The ceremony was followed with a parade by The Veterans' Association.
Councillor Davies said: "People should never forget, the Holocaust was an atrocity, but we must be also aware that similar smaller killings still happen to this day.
"It is something the young people should be taught in hope nothing like this happens again."
More than one million people, mostly Jews, died at the Nazi camp before it was liberated by Allied troops in 1945. The National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas also held a short ceremony in its Millennium Chapel yesterday to mark the day, and St Mary's and All Saints Church in Kidderminster held a service of remembrance.
In Walsall today, a memorial service was being held at the Council House with the Mayor councillor Dennis Anson and Chief Inspector Mike O'Hara invited to attend.
Walsall Multi Faith Forum organised the hour-long event at 11.55am. Councillor Anson said it was an opportunity to "commemorate victims and survivors" as well as reflect on other worldwide atrocities.
