Council leaders and community representatives joined together for a memorial service as the world paused to remember the victims of the Holocaust.

More than 150 schoolchildren from five primary school choirs in Harrow performed at the service, held at Harrow Arts Centre, including Heathland Primary, Kenmore Park Junior, Aylward Primary, Belmont Primary and Roxeth Primary.

The event was opened by Jack Lynes of Harrow Interfaith Council, who compered the evening.

Rabbi Mendel Lew from Stanmore Synagogue lit the memorial Yahrzeit candle with the Mayor of Harrow Councillor Ajay Maru, while Rabbi Danny Bergson of Pinner Synagogue sang the Memorial Prayer.

After the minute’s silence, Honorary Alderman Richard Romain spoke about the Holocaust, what it means and the continuing genocides that still occur – emphasising the need for the younger generation to keep these memories alive.

Holocaust Educational Trust Ambassadors involved in the Lessons from Auschwitz programme, Leah Williamson and Alan Sardar from Hatch End School, shared their own account of a recent visit to Auschwitz and Judy Karbritz, the Harrow Community Poet, read from her own and others’ work.

Mayor Cllr Maru said: “This was such a moving event and I was touched by the readings and personal testimonies. This was such a dark period in human history and I hope that future generations will never let this happen again”.

As part of memorial events in the borough, Stanmore Library hosted a talk by Eva Scholls, the step-sister of Anne Frank, who spoke about her experiences during the holocaust.

After the talk, she answered questions from the audience and attendees had the opportunity to meet Eva and buy signed copies of her books.