Monmouthshire County Council run events each year to support Holocaust Memorial Day. These events are usually run by Monmouthshire libraries and this year, Love Your Library, Friends of Monmouth Library, was invited to host. Events are inclusive and employ a drop-in format. Monmouth was keen to host an event suitable for all ages, and so included themed crafts and kosher refreshments. Due to a clearer focus on security this year, the event was not publicised outside the library, but students from Monmouth Comprehensive School and their families were in attendance, taking part in the handprint activity whereby the commemorative flame was re-created in a personal and moving way.
Chair of Friends of Monmouth Library, Governor of Monmouth Comprehensive School and Councillor, Catherine Fookes, hosted the event, introducing the theme of the day ‘Fragility of Freedom’ and welcoming guest speakers, readers, and visitors.
Sharon Perry-Phillips, Subject Leader for RVE at Monmouth Comprehensive School, gave a talk sharing her career experiences of teaching local young people about anti-semitism, the Holocaust, persecution and genocide. She spoke about the capacity of students to understand events such as the Holocaust and other acts of genocide, and the importance of young people’s engagement with this learning, leading to a clear view that it must never happen again. In addition, Jess George, Ethicist and Mental Health Specialist, shared her reflections on the importance of remembrance; and Rev Catherine Haynes provided a poignant reflection on remembrance and compassion.
Extracts from a selection of emotive Holocaust stories were beautifully read by Councillor Angela Sandles, David TC Davies MP, and MCC Leader Councillor Mary Ann Brocklesby (‘When Hitler stole pink rabbit’ by Judith Kerr, ‘When the world was ours’ by Liz Kessler, ‘Hitler’s Canary’ by Sandi Toksvig).
The event concluded with the viewing of a video message, kindly sent by Cardiff Rabbi, Michoel Rose, and the lighting of the Holocaust Memorial candles by speakers and guests. The messages throughout of remembrance, empathy, kindness and compassion, were sensitively conveyed but strongly received.
Hattie Ryder (Y8) and Rufus Haythornthwaite (Y7) are members of Gwent Wildlife’s Stand For Nature Wales group, a youth-led Climate Action Project. The group meets regularly to learn more about nature, biodiversity and climate change. Group members regularly take action to reduce climate change. They have built green roof structures, rain gardens, bog gardens, planted trees and wildflower meadows as well as lobbying the government on climate change issues such as the reduction of domestic pesticide use.
