THE millions killed under Nazi persecution in the Holocaust and in subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur were remembered at an event in Caldicot on Thursday (January 25).

The theme for this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day was ‘the power of words’ and the event in Caldicot featured stories of those murdered and those who survived, through written and spoken words by members of the Friends of Caldicot Hub.

Over 50 visitors attended the event including a Holocaust survivor Renate Collins, one of the last ‘Kinder Children’ to escape the holocaust in Eastern Europe.

Caldicot School’s deputy head girl Alys Rodley and deputy head boy Nicky Tarran shared their thoughts and experiences after visiting a former Nazi concentration camp on their recent school trip to Poland.The pupils showed a slide show of photos and memories from their visit and reflected on the effect the trip has had on them.

Cllr Sara Jones (Con, Llanover), Monmouthshire’s Cabinet member with responsibility for equalities; said: “Holocaust Memorial Day promotes equality, respect and understanding. It’s a time for us to reflect, to remember the victims of persecution and murder and to learn from the past to build a better future.”

For more information on Holocaust Memorial Day visit www.hmd.org.uk/