At 3pm on Sunday 9th August, peace campaigners in the Upper Calder will be commemorating the 70th anniversary of the dropping of an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Nagasaki.
This took place on August 9th, three days after the neighbouring city, Hiroshima, was destroyed by the world’s first nuclear attack.
The commemoration will take place at the wavy steps by the Pack Horse Bridge on Bridgegate, central Hebden Bridge. All are welcome to take part.
People in towns and cities all over the world are commemorating these horrific events, and affirming the desire for a non-nuclear future.
Hebden Royd Town Council has recently joined the Mayors for Peace network and Councillor Karl Boggis, Mayor of Hebden Royd, will read the Mayor of Nagasaki’s peace declaration at the event.
He will be joined by Father John Gott of the Catholic Church of the Good Shepherd in Mytholmroyd, Kay Pierce of Churches Together Hebden Bridge, and Calderdale Councillor Susan Press who will be reading Hibakusha (A-bomb survivors) poetry. Local poet and Quaker, Jocelin Black will be reading a poem written especially for the occasion and Calder Valley Voices choir will contribute a song for peace, alongside a peace chant/song for everyone to participate in
One of the organisers from Calder Valley CND for Peace and Justice, Ralph Nimman said “We want this event to remember those who died 70 years ago but also offer a time for reflection: on the continued dangers of the thousands of nuclear weapons still in the world today.”
The event has been organised by Calder Valley CND for Peace and Justice, and more information can be found at yorkshirecnd.org.uk/