Amber Valley's tree 'avenue' to commemorate the Holocaust
THE Holocaust will be remembered in Amber Valley with the planting of a series of trees.
Amber Valley Borough Council plans to eventually create a double avenue of trees, on the main footpaths at Alfreton Welfare Park, to honour the six million Jewish men, women and children who lost their lives in the atrocities under the Nazis between 1941 and 1945.
Councillor David Taylor, Mayor of Amber Valley, planted the first three trees - that are Himalayan birches, which have bright white bark and a graceful shape - at the ‘fork’ of the paths, on Holocaust Memorial Day, Friday, January 27.
From now on, there will be a tree planted every year to commemorate the anniversary, with future mayors given the special honour of planting forthcoming trees.
Mayor Taylor said: “It’s a huge honour and a privilege to be the first Amber Valley Mayor to plant these inaugural trees. Long may they help us to reflect on the terrible things which happened, and to remain thankful for a safer, better future.”
Chris Beal, landscape maintenance manager for Amber Valley Borough Council, is heading up the planting project.
He said: “The Mayor did the initial planting, and the idea is that every year from now on, whoever is the Mayor will take on the commemorative role of planting a further tree.
“It will be a long-lasting monument to all those who lost their lives under persecution - the avenue will be there forever more. It should take us 10 to 14 years to complete the avenue.”
Amber Valley Borough Council has encouraged others to pay their respects on National Holocaust Memorial Day.
As well as remembering the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp, the event also commemorates the persecution of other groups and genocides that followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
It is an occasion for everyone to come together to learn, remember and reflect.
The theme for this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day is Ordinary People.
People were also encouraged to take part in a national moment of reflection, by lighting candles and placing them safely in windows at 4pm on January 27.
Amber Valley Borough Council’s Ripley headquarters was also lighting candles during this powerful national moment of commemoration and solidarity.
To find out more, visit https://ambervalley.go.uk/community/holocaust-memorial-day
Article by Amber Valley Borough Council
More News From Amber Valley Info
| 459 e-scooters seized to date as action continues Derbyshire Constabulary has seized a further 33 e-scooters during the month of May as part of an ongoing crackdown on illegal use a read more | |
| Twenty Years after first qualifying, amateur rider to realise Horse of the Year dream An amateur rider from Alfreton, Derbyshire, Jane Hemmings has qualified for the prestigious Hor read more | |
| WOMBLE MANIA - The Exhibition - Exclusively at The Heights of Abraham The Wombles are back and are stars of the show this summer at Derbyshire's family-friendly visitor attraction, read more | |
| Patrols Needed To Help School Children Cross The Road Safely Have you got what it takes to help Derbyshire children stay safe as they walk to school? Derbyshire County Council is l read more | |
| New Discounted Bus Travel For 19 to 21 Years Old In Derbyshire Derbyshire County Council is to extend it's popular b_line card, which offers single bus fares for £1.50, to tho read more | |
The Amber Valley Info Noticeboard
| When you need to call 999 but can't talk When you need to call 999 but can't talk - the ‘silent solution’ can help. Press 55 on your mobile when prompted, to confirm you are in read more | |
| The opening night of the Lights of Abraham Winter Lights Trail The brand new winter lights trail, the 'Lights of Abraham' opened on Friday 22nd November at the Heights of Abraham in read more | |
| Can You Help DREAM Paranormal With Their Research My name is Simon Dean, Lead Investigator of DREAM paranormal and I am looking for your help. read more | |
| Cold Callers claiming to be working on behalf of Derbyshire County Council Policehave seen and increase in reports of 'cold callers' where people are claiming to be working on behal read more | |
| Subscriptions For Amber Valley Borough Councils 2024 Garden Waste Service Are Now Open The garden waste collection service is available to all residents in Amber Valley except for r read more | |
