ROYSTON remembered the Holocaust last week, with town dignitaries and members of the public gathering in Priory Gardens.

Royston town mayor Cllr Martin Beaver read a speech and lit a candle to mark 65 years of piece in Western Europe last Thursday, which was World Holocaust day.

The event was organised by Royston inter-faith co-ordinator Carlo Zambonini who said it was important to celebrate diversity.

“Holocaust Memorial day is, and should be a celebration,” he said. “It’s a celebration of the last 65 years of peace and security here and throughout Western Europe, and to enjoy freedom and liberty.”

“Also it celebrates the hope that such peace, safety and security extends into the future of the benefit of our children and our grandchildren”

Mr Zambonini and Cllr Beaver was joined by Royston district councillors Fiona Hill and Peter Burt, town councillors Bob Smith, Graham Palmer, F John Smith, Lindsay Davidson and Marguerite Phillips, town clerk Susan Thornton-Bjork, Revd Tim Weeks from Royston Parish Church and town centre manager Geraint Burnell, as well as members of the public. Cllr Beaver said: “This is a time for us all to remember those victims who died in the Holocaust under Nazi persecution and the subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Bosnia, Rwanda and Darfur. These people were innocent and were killed through no fault of their own.

“It’s also about remembering those whose lives have been changed beyond recognition. We act to learn the lessons of the past to create a safer, better future.”