Residents of all ages from across Thurrock attended a poignant memorial service in Grays to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.
Residents, community leaders and local schools gathered at the Herbert E. Brooks Memorial Rest Garden on Tuesday 27 January for the annual memorial service, held to remember the six million Jewish people murdered during the Holocaust, alongside the millions of others persecuted under the Nazi regime and in more recent genocides.
Later in the day, Grays Library hosted a special Shared Reading session, which offered residents an opportunity to reflect on literature, including:
- An excerpt from Night by Elie Wiesel
- First They Came by Pastor Martin Niemöller
- Belsen Silence by Iolo Lewis
This year’s national theme was “Bridging Generations”, which focused on passing memories and learning from the past to future generations.
The theme was reflected throughout the service, which included readings from local schools, reflections from civic and faith representatives, and music and prayers.
Cllr Sue Shinnick, Mayor of Thurrock, led the ceremony, joined by Rev Dr Kate Carter, Mayor’s Chaplain and Team Vicar for the Grays Thurrock Team Ministry. Students from Grays Convent High School, Hathaway Academy and Woodside Academy contributed moving poems and readings, emphasising the role of younger generations in carrying memory forward.
Two representatives from the Thurrock Bosnian Community Group also took part in the service; Almedina Kahrimanovic, who is a survivor of the Srebrenica genocide, shared a powerful message about the lasting impact and pain that is felt from genocide, and warned that indifference allows hatred to grow. Before Adisa Kenjar then shared how important is that we continue to remember the victims of genocide.
Adisa, said: “I did not live through the Holocaust or the genocide in Srebrenica. But I carry their memory in my heart because I believe that remembering is how we protect the future.
“When I think about Srebrenica, I feel a deep sadness. But I also feel something else - hope.
“Because the fact that we are here today, remembering, means that we are not letting their stories disappear. It means that we refuse to allow hate to win.”
The service concluded with a Statement of Commitment and a pebble‑laying ceremony led by the Mayor, which offered a quiet moment of reflection for all of those who attended.
Cllr Sue Shinnick said: “Holocaust Memorial Day reminds us of the vital responsibility we all share in remembering the past and standing firmly against hatred, intolerance and discrimination in our society. Thank you to all of those who attended the memorial service and shared reading session. It was moving to see so many residents, schools and community groups come together today to reflect on the past and commit to ensuring these lessons are carried forward.”
Cllr John Kent, Cabinet Member for Sustainability, Art, Culture and Heritage, said: “I am incredibly proud to have seen so many residents of all ages come out today to honour the memory of the six million Jewish men, women and children, and countless others who have suffered unimaginable horrors while being persecuted by the Nazi party and other subsequent genocides.
“By coming together as a community to stand against hatred in all its forms, we can help to make sure our youngest generations understand the importance of a future without prejudice and discrimination.”
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