Victims of Holocaust remembered at special Sandwell ceremony
Wreaths were laid and prayers said as people gathered to remember the victims of the Holocaust.
A crowd of more than 50 people gathered in Sandwell to pay their respects to those who lost their lives in the atrocity. A special annual service was held at Sandwell Registry Office yesterday ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day today.
Heavy rain meant for the first time ever, the service was held indoors before a wreath-laying ceremony took place in the gardens of the building, in High Street, West Bromwich. Readings and talks were given before the crowd, led by standard bearers, were taken outside for the wreath-laying.
The Mayor of Sandwell Councillor Linda Horton laid a wreath at the event. She said: "There were so many people who lost their lives because of who they were and what they were.
"By holding these memorial services, it reminds us and future generations that we must never let it happen again. Hopefully it will make our young people more aware that we all need to live together."
Nine-year-old Martha Barnsley also laid a wreath. She attended alongside her father Tony Barnsley, who was representing the Sandwell Unison General Branch.
Mr Barnsley said: "It's always important to remember the past and make sure that its mistakes are never repeated."
The first reading of the service was given by Dave Allport, who runs a company called Rewind UK, which challenges racism through education and working with schools. He said: "I've been coming to this service for six years.
"We have to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. It was one of the most extreme examples of what prejudice, racism and hatred can lead to."
