81 Years On: Hiroshima Remembered in Tavistock Square

The new cherry blossom tree planted last year in Tavistock Square Gardens was growing green shoots when we met for the 81st anniversary of the atomic bomb of the civilian population of Hiroshima.

Songs from the Raised Voices choir opened this year’s commemorations, followed by a welcome from London CND Vice Chairs Hannah Kemp-Welch and Sally Spiers. Sylvia McNamara, Deputy Mayor of Camden, led a call for politicians to heed the lessons of 1945. Calls of ‘never again’ gave way to Reverend Nagase’s chanting which was followed by wreaths laid by Councillor McNamara and London CND Treasurer Phil Sedler.

We heard speeches from Jess Barnard, Labour Party National Executive Committee member, and Councillor Martin Abrams, Green Party Leader of Lambeth Council, They were followed by songs from Hugh Goodacre and a poem read by Bromley CND’s Ann Garrett.

The commemorations was rounded off by London CND Chair Carol Turner, who warned of the increasing nuclear dangers we face today, and a rendition of H-Bomb’s Thunder by the Raised Voices choir.

London CND Vice Chair, Sally Spiers