A SERVICE remembering the victims of the Holocaust and other genocides, was held at a Bromsgrove park on Friday.

There was an impressive turnout for the town event marking Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) including church leaders, council dignitaries, and representatives from the police and the Bromsgrove Muslim Community Trust.

Pupils from town schools including Aston Fields Middle, Waseley Hills High, Hagley RC High, Parkside Middle, Bromsgrove School, Rigby Hall and North Bromsgrove High, also attended the service, held at the memorial plaque in Sanders Park.

The service was led by Bromsgrove District Council’s civic head, Councillor Janice Boswell, who thanked everyone for attending despite the freezing temperatures.

She said that HMD, held annually, commemorates victims, honours survivors, and encourages nations to conquer genocide and individuals to stand up against hatred.

Pupils gave a reading explaining what this year’s HMD theme, Communities Together: Build a Bridge, was all about - forging links individually and as groups, and reaching out to different communities.

The vicar of St John's, Reverend Chris Wingfield, led the prayers, before a bugler played the last post.

A two minutes silence was then observed.

A statement of commitment was read out by Bromsgrove District Council’s chief executive Kevin Dicks, and Bromsgrove MP Sajid Javid.

Mr Javid said: “Genocide, anti-semitism, racism, xenophobia and discrimination still continue.

“We have a shared responsibility to fight these evils.

“We will continue to encourage Holocaust remembrance, by holding an annual UK Holocaust Memorial Day.”

For more information on the international memorial day visit hmd.org.uk.