Hiroshima Day 80 Years Commemoration: A year of renewal

London CND came together in Tavistock Square Gardens on 6 August, led by Vice Chair Hannah Kemp-Welch, to mark 80 years since the US bombing of Hiroshima. Tens of thousands were killed instantly, and in the months that followed, radiation sickness and cancer claimed the lives of over 140,000 people.

The memorial Hiroshima Cherry tree, which had adorned the Gardens for nearly five decades, had decayed during the year, and a focal point of this year’s commemorations was the planting of a new tree. Camden Mayor Eddie Hanson described how cherry blossom trees had been planted in peace parks across Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the decade after the bombs fell.

Bernard Miller, son of Cllr Millie Miller, who had planted the tree in 1967, explained, ‘cherry blossoms are therefore a symbol of peace and hope’. Out of such devastation ‘new life and beauty can grow if it is respected and nurtured like the cherry blossoms in Hiroshima today. Bernard wished ‘everybody courage and strength to fight for peace for the future – because we need it now more than ever before’.

Bernard Miller

A new cherry tree was then planted, followed by the traditional laying of wreaths by the Mayor and London CND Treasurer Phil Sedler. The commemoration then continued with prayers led by Reverend Nagase of the London Peace Pagoda, and speeches, readings, and performances. A full programme from the day can be found here.

This year at Tavistock Square

A warm summer day and the presence of friends such as Jeremy Corbyn, Emma Dent-Coad, and Roger McKenzie attracted a good attendance at London CND’s Hiroshima Commemoration in Tavistock Square this year, which included a performance by Michael Mears & Riko Nakazono of an extract from Michael’s play The Mistake, on tour across England and Wales during September & October.

As always the Mayor of Camden, Cllr Nazma Rahman, launched the 2023 commemoration on Sunday 6 August, and laid a wreath at the Hiroshima Cherry Tree in memory of all those who died as a result of the United States bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. She was followed by traditional chanting from Reverend Nagase from the London Peace Pagoda, which celebrated its 38th anniversary in Battersea Park this year.

London Co-Chair Hannah Kemp-Welch compered the event and spoke on behalf of London CND at the Nagasaki Commemoration a few days later. Other contributors to this year’s event included Shigeo Kobayashi representing Japanese Against Nuclear and London CND’s other Co-Chair, Carol Turner.

Hugh Goodacre contributed some of the peace movement’s favourites songs accompanying himself on acoustic guitar, and Raised Voices choir gave a rousing rendition of H-Bombs Thunder to close the proceedings.

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Carol Turner is co-chair of London Region CND. She is a directly elected member of CND’s National Council and part of the International Advisory Group.

Carol is a long-time peace campaigner, a member of Stop the War Coalition’s National Officer Group, and author of Corbyn and Trident: Labour’s Continuing Controversy.

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[MAP] Hiroshima & Nagasaki events in London each day

There are lots of events planned in London to remember the atrocious bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. To make it a bit easier, we’ve put together this video mapping them!