Holocaust memorial artwork by borough pupils on display again

The group created the artwork for Holocaust Memorial Day at the start of this year and was one of 75 memorial flames chosen by a panel of experts.

That meant it was seen in London as part of the national commemorations marking 75 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Now the flame can be viewed once again on screens at the Liverpool Museum as part of a three-week exhibition which opened on October 1.

The flame will also be at the Manchester Library as part of a show placing art around the venue which starts on October 10 and runs until Christmas.

Jean Hensey-Reynard, who runs Holocaust memorial events in Wigan and Leigh, said: “I am totally delighted to have our pupils’ work represented in shows across the cities of Manchester and Liverpool.

“It shows the talent and hard work of the teachers and pupils as well as their dedication and feeling of how important it is to be a voice and to stand up against hatred and discrimination in today’s world.

“They are our future and they will never forget taking part in something like this and beginning to learn about the Holocaust.

“The Bedford artwork is a paper chain design about standing together. I like the symbolism of it because it is like the tallith, the Jewish prayer shawl which the men wear, and the colours are blue and white like the Israeli flag.

“It’s about supporting each other in times of difficulty and not turning the other way.

“When I did the ceremony I got the children to stand in a circle. If the circle faces inwards it is ignoring things but if it turns outwards it shows there is a voice there which can stand up for things like equality.”

The exhibitions in Manchester and Liverpool have been put together by the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust as part of its 75 Memorial Flames project.

The Bedford pupils worked on their flame with recently-arrived art teacher Penny Walmsley.

The Leigh school’s inclusion in the national commemoration event at Westminster also led to a special honour for Jean as she was asked to be a candle bearer in London and was pictured near the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.