Shaw and Crompton residents and schoolchildren commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day

The service was held at Crompton War Memorial

Holocaust Memorial Day service has been marked in Crompton with a special service.

The theme of this year's Holocaust Memorial Day commemorations was 'One day'.  Survivors of the Holocaust and of genocide often talk about the 'One Day' when everything changed, sometimes for the worse and sometimes for better.

The service was held at Crompton War Memorial and passages were read by Sade, from Farrowdale House Preparatory School, Aizah, from Crompton Primary School , and Crompton Councillor Dave Murphy.

Councillor Diane Williamson who led the service said: "It was an absolute pleasure and delight to see so many young children taking part in the service.  We had three different schools in attendance, which also included Royton and Crompton EACT-Academy.

"This has been our vision from the very start – that school children attend and take back the understanding of the Holocaust and never forget."

After the service, stones were laid on Crompton War Memorial. The act of placing visitation stones is significant in Jewish bereavement practices. Small stones are placed by visitors to Jewish graves in an act of remembrance or respect for the deceased. The practice is a way of participating in the mitzvah of burial. It is customary to place the stone with the left hand.

Cllr Williamson added: "We hope to see the event grow bigger next year and to have more schools take part”

Nationally, thousands of people across the country watched the UK Ceremony for Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) 2022 and joined parliamentarians, faith leaders and their friends and neighbours to light the darkness.

HRH The Prince of Wales reflected on this year’s commemorations:

"The theme for this year’s commemoration – One Day – calls on us to remember momentous days in our own lives, or in times gone by, which have impacted the arc of history, either for good or for ill. It reminds us how quickly life can change, and that, though we know much, we will forever live with the uncertainty of not knowing what tomorrow may bring.

"The strength shown by the survivors of the Holocaust, and of more recent genocides, is as courageous as it is inspiring. Like anyone who hears them bear witness on Holocaust Memorial Day, I am always moved and forever changed by their testimony."

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