RESIDENTS, councillors and members of the Royal British Legion were in attendance for the annual Holocaust Memorial Day service.

Led by Basingstoke and Deane Mayor councillor Paul Frankum at the War Memorial, next to the Civic Offices on Saturday, 27 January.

Among those attending were Basingstoke MP Maria Miller, mayoress Cllr Jane Frankum, deputy mayor Cllr Sean Keating, vice chairman of Basingstoke and Overton branch of the Royal British Legion David Buttle and wing commander Phil Wadlow from RAF Odiham.

After the observance of one minute’s silence, the mayor, accompanied by the borough council’s deputy chief executive Victor Nicholls, laid a wreath on behalf of the borough.

The theme for Holocaust Memorial Day 2018 was 'The Power of Words', which encouraged people to think about how language can be a potent source for both good and bad, as well as the effects of propaganda.

Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane Cllr Mr Frankum said: “It was very poignant to be part of marking Holocaust Memorial Day. It gave us a chance to pause for a while and remember the millions of people who have been murdered or whose lives have been changed beyond recognition during the Holocaust and in subsequent genocides.

"Marking this anniversary helps to honour the survivors and remember the lessons of their experiences. This year’s theme focused our thoughts on just how much impact spoken and written words can have, either for good or bad.”

The annual event is held to remember the millions of people murdered during the Holocaust, under Nazi Persecution and in subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.