- HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY
IT WAS on the 25 January that the
"Laying of Flowers", a Liverpool custom, in St George’s Park at the Holocaust Memorial, was once more performed in the presence of the event’s Host, the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Ron Gould, along with other dignitaries (listed later) and spectators. This event was followed by refreshments in the Hall and then a Service in the form of dance, music, speeches and prayer.
King David High School Musicians played a Musical Compilation. To start the Service, students from Merseyside Dance and Drama Centre performed a ballet, while on the screen a potted account called "From the Holocaust to Rwanda" was shown with changing pages of information. Whilst this was happening, Terance Ayebale of Shorefields Community Comprehensive School, lit candles. The scene was covered with a blue tinged mist, and the dancers were dressed in green. Then the Lord Mayor welcomed everyone and declared how committed the City Council is to this annual event. The Chief Executive of the City Council then made the City Council’s
"Reaffirmation Statement" which was followed by some "Reflections" made by student, Ryan Waters, from Gateacre Community Comprehensive School and Jules Twagira’s Story read by a student, Mugneni Sumba from Liverpool Hope University College.
Olu Olaseinde and the River Niger Orchestra next performed an African Folksong, Dance and Historical Incantation. That was followed by Steve Binns, a Liverpool City Council historian who made a "National Statement of
Commitment".
Some Speakers then went to the podium, starting with Councillor Mike Storey CBE, The City Council Leader, then Councillor Joe Anderson, leader of the Opposition and followed by the Immediate Chairperson of Merseyside Jewish Representative Council, Naomi Kingston.
The Rector of Liverpool, Reverend Steven Brookes led the Act of Commitment and Dedication followed by prayers led by the Senior Rabbi of Merseyside Jewish Community, Rabbi Lionel Cofnas.
Melody Frayne sang "If Tomorrow Never Comes" which she had adapted. She was followed by
"Johnny’s Story" and then a period of silent reflection. That closed the event with the retirement of the Lord Mayor from the Hall.
One can find the "Statement of Commitment" in Liverpool’s Holocaust Book of Commitment, which is on the net
"www.liverpool.gov.uk/holocaust-memorial".
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A list of some of the dignitaries who were in
attendance:- Lord Mayor & Lady Mayoress, Clr & Mrs R Gould ; Liverpool City Council Leader, Clr M Storey
CBE; Leader of the Opposition, Clr J Anderson; Liverpool’s Chief Executive, Mr & Mrs D
Henshaw; The Merseyside High Sheriff, Dr & Mrs R Atley; The Recorder of Liverpool, Judge & Mrs H Globe QC; The Mayor & Mayoress of Knowsley, Clr & Mrs M Murphy; The Mayor & Mayoress of Wirral, Clr W Nock & Mayoress Mrs T Clark; The Mayor of St Helens Clr L McGuire, & Guest Mayor of St Helens Clr M Quinn; The Mayor & Mayoress of Sefton, Clr & Mrs D Pearson; The Mayor & Mayoress of Halton, Clr & Mrs R Hignett; Chairman of West Lancashire, Clr P Taylor, & Chairman’s Lady Mrs A
Stubbert; Deputy Lord Mayor of Hale, Mr E Goldrein & Mrs I
Goldrein; Deputy Mayor of Maghull ClrJ Day & Mrs H Ahley; Lord Mayor & Lady Mayoress of Chester Clr & Mrs B
Cowper.
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