A new memorial stone in remembrance of victims of the Holocaust has been unveiled at a poignant ceremony in Clacton’s seafront gardens.
The stone was unveiled by the Colchester and District Jewish Community Synagogue in Tendring District Council’s (TDC) Sunken Rose Garden in Marine Parade West.
Alongside the unveiling of the Holocaust Memorial Stone, there was a Service of Commemoration and an Act of Reflection, Remembrance and Hope.
The service was led by Harvey Newman, from the Colchester and District Jewish Community, who was joined by TDC Chairman Dan Casey and Councillor Adrian Smith, Cabinet Member for Environment, along with a number of members of the public.
Councillor Casey said: “It was a pleasure to welcome members of the Jewish community to the seafront gardens for the unveiling of the new Holocaust memorial in Clacton.
“It is vital that we commemorate the Holocaust and remember the experiences of its victims, as well as the victims of subsequent genocides.
“This new memorial will be the focal point for future Holocaust Memorial Day services in the town.”
Mr Newman said: “I would like to thank all those who shared the auspicious occasion with the Colchester and District Jewish Community.
“I would also like to express my thanks to Gary Green Stonemasons of Chigwell, for donating the stone and Richard Barlow Stonemasons, of Clacton, for installing the memorial.
“It was good to see so many people support us at the service – it is important people remember what has happened.”
Michael Weiger, chief executive of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, added: “I was very proud to represent the board at this moving ceremony.
“It is very important that we memorialise the Holocaust and that it is not limited to London but includes smaller Jewish communities throughout the country.”
A ceremony is held to remember the victims of the Holocaust on 27 January each year to mark Holocaust Memorial Day – the annual day marks the date the Auschwitz concentration camp was liberated in 1945.
Holocaust Memorial Day was established by the Government in 2000, with the first activities held the following year.
It aims to promote awareness of how many millions of people and communities were persecuted under racial and social policy because they were different.