Harwich plans to mark Holocaust Memorial Day every year at new statue

Holocaust Memorial Day is commemorated every year on January 27 to honour the six million victims of the Holocaust.

Following the unveiling of the Kindertransport memorial at Harwich Quay last year, Harwich Town Council decided the site would be a fitting focal point for Holocaust Memorial Day.

Town councillor Garry Calver said it is hoped the service can take place every year at the statue.

He said: “As a result of having this focal point, Harwich Town Council did it at very short notice earlier this year.

“We had the idea we should have some sort of commemoration on Holocaust Day.

"We did it in about a fortnight and took the decision that Harwich Town Council would make that commemoration an annual event."

Lead - Dovercourt Bay ward councillor Garry Calver (Image: Newsquest)

Garry said plans are now in place for the Holocaust Memorial Day to return next year.

He added: “We’re now looking to start setting up arrangements for commemoration in January 2024.

"We already got a road closure, we didn’t have that last year.

“We’re looking to tweak things to get them right. Because the High Lighthouse in Harwich was illuminated for causes before – blue and yellow in Ukraine.

“We should pay for it to be illuminated purple which is the colour of Holocaust Memorial Day.

“We didn’t have to time to greatly advertise it or contact schools. One of the classes actually attended from Spring Meadow Primary School.

“That was a beacon of hope, if you’ve got the little ones there.

"I think that was the moment that meant the most to everyone there, the presence of the children.”

Harwich was the point of entry for most of the 10,000 children rescued from Nazi occupied Europe as part of the Kindertransport project, starting in 1938.

Some continued their journey to London, while others spent a freezing winter at a holiday camp in Dovercourt Bay.