ELLESMERE Primary School pupils welcomed Councillor Geoff Elner, and members of the two inter faith forums in Shropshire to a special ceremony on Friday, January 26.

The event was centred around the planting the 19th tree in the Shropshire cherry tree orchard of remembrance for the Holocaust, Nazi persecution, and genocides in Cambodia, Bosnia and Darfur.

In a special Year 6 assembly, the pupils shared how their values and aspirations linked with the theme chosen by the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust for 2024: ”Fragility of Freedom”.

A candle was lit, before Peter Vousden from the Shrewsbury Interfaith Forum read a prayer.

Kirstie Hurst-Knight, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children and education, said:- 

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“In planting this cherry tree at Ellesmere Primary School, we show our continued intent to help primary school pupils in the county to understand more about the Holocaust and other genocides.

"I was really pleased to hear how much the Year 6 pupils there have taken from their participation in this important event. Well done to everyone involved, and thank you as ever to the inter faith forums who came together with us on this.“

John Blessington, Shropshire Council arboriculturist, talked about the importance of trees with the pupils, helping them with tips on how to care for the tree once it had been planted by them.

Reverend John Vernon from the local parish then closed the ceremony with a final prayer.

Councillor Elner said: “I found the service very thought-provoking and l believe that, together, we paid tribute and honoured the victims of the Holocaust and the subsequent episodes of genocide."