Black Isle campaigners remember thousands killed by atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki
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PEOPLE in a Ross-shire community have paid moving tribute to the victims of atomic bombs dropped on Japanese cities towards the end of World War II.
An event staged by Cromarty Peace Group at 4pm on Thursday, August 6 commemorated the 75th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
The anniversary of the bombing of Nagasaki is being marked around the world today.
Approximately 50 people participated and heard Sandy Thomson read a joint statement from the mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
At an act of remembrance, introduced by Alison Seller, Ben Flieger (10), a pupil of Cromarty Primary School, handed out roses, bearing labels saying “August 1945 – In remembrance of the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and in hope of a world free of nuclear bombs”.
People were asked to do one of three things with their rose: Take it home and reflect on it, pass it on to someone else or leave it in a prominent place in the village so others could see it.
Award-winning piper Kyle Cameron (15), whose mother Hanako is from Japan, played a piobaireachd lament.
Kyle visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and the A-Bomb Dome when he was seven.
Local lady Annie Ratcliffe had brought along a picture she had embroidered 50 years ago at the request of her nephew, then aged 15, who had been deeply moved by a poem he had read by Colin Rowbotham stating “Einstein’s eyes were filled with tears when he heard about Hiroshima, Mr. Tamihi had no eyes left to show his grief”. Having been stored away all this time the picture is now going to be displayed in St Regulus Church in Cromarty.
Simon Evans closed the event by talking about what people can do to raise awareness of nuclear weapons and what action can be taken to move towards a world free of nuclear weapons.
Related: Cromarty campaigners to remember thousands killed
