Wigan/Leigh Local Authority – Ceremony – HMD 2026

Activity information

Activity type: Public activity

Organisation name: Wigan/Leigh Local Authority

Address:
Leigh Council Chamber, Leigh Town Hall
Market Street, Civic Square
Leigh WN7 1DY
Greater Manchester
WN7 1DY
United Kingdom

Leigh Town Hall " Bridging Generations" Holocaust Memorial Day 2026T

his Commemoration Event for HMD 2026 was the 1st of 2 ceremonies in the combined borough of Leigh & Wigan. The Introduction to the 81st Anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau was given by Cllr Keith Cunliffe followed by the Pastor Niemoller 's Poem : "First they came for ...." read by Brian Mills.

Jean Hensey-Reynard then gave the attendees an opportunity to watch the HMD's 80 Candles Film showcasing the inspirational White Rose Candleholder made by St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School(Ashton-In-Makerfield) in colloboration with Artist Lisa Michelle Johnson ( Heart Communities CIC) based in Spinners Mill, Leigh. Also in the film was 4 other Candleholders created by St Oswald's Catholic Primary also based in Ashton-In-Makerfield.

The Leigh Paperback Writers had penned & recited their poem for 2026 : Let the Youth of Today.....a very apt recitation for the "Bridging Generations" Theme.

Sacred Heart RC Primary from Atherton brought their completed & colourful "Bridge-Passports" made earlier in the workshop delivered by Jean Hensey-Reynard. Inside the "Passport" the pupils had written their name & DOB followed by the word " REMEMBERS"
The next line had the NAME of the Life Stories they are researched from the HMD website. The "Bridging Passports" were completed by a new "Statement of Commitment" : I will be a BRIDGE & tell their Story". These booklets were then attached to the Remembrance Tree. After this the yr 5 class sang the song : Blackbird by the Beatles. The enduring message of hardship & finding freedom speaks to the spirit of Remembrance & honouring those that suffered like in the Holocaust.

Our Guest Speaker was Alison Cooper from the Northern Holocaust Education Group. Her telling of her Mother's Life Story : Judis was so compelling & uplifting. Her Mother Judis Singer later Judith Waxman was both compelling & uplifting.

Peter Rawlinson read "Show Us the Way to Peace" followed by the Lighting of the Memorial Candle by the Worshipful Mayor of Wigan Cllr Jenny Bullen. We all then stood up and recited the National Statement of Commitment.

Organiser Name