The Chesterfield community will come together later this month for a poignant evening of commemoration to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. The event promises to be a powerful opportunity for local residents to engage in remembrance and reflection on one of history's darkest chapters.
An Evening of Personal Testimony and Remembrance
The event will be held at the Chesterfield Library Lecture Theatre on Tuesday, January 27, beginning at 6.30pm. It is being organised by the Chesterfield Equality and Diversity Forum, with valuable support from Chesterfield Borough Council. This year's gathering holds special significance as it will feature a deeply personal connection to the Holocaust.
Organisers are honoured to welcome Holocaust survivor Peter Summerfield BEM, who will join the event remotely to share his harrowing story. He will be supported in person by his grandson, Harry Sassoon, who will help facilitate the session and share images relating to his grandfather's life.
A Story of Escape and Survival
Peter Summerfield's testimony is one of persecution and narrow escape. He was just six years old when his family was forced to flee Nazi Germany in August 1939, mere days before the outbreak of the Second World War. Attendees will hear his first-hand account of those terrifying events and his subsequent arrival and life in England.
In addition to the moving testimony, guests will have the chance to view the 80 Candles Quilt. This poignant piece was created to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, serving as a tactile tribute to remembrance and reflection.
Community Reflection and Looking Forward
Councillor Judy Staton, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for governance, emphasised the importance of the day. "Holocaust Memorial Day is a moment for us all to pause and be united in remembering the past," she said, "as well as considering how we can work together to shape our future."
She added that the event provides a vital opportunity for local people to connect with history and understand how the Holocaust personally affected their guest speaker, Peter Summerfield.
This is a ticket-only event, open to all and completely free of charge, but places are strictly limited due to capacity. The organisers recommend the event for those aged 12 and above. Tickets can be secured by booking online at the council's dedicated feedback website or by calling 01246 936793.
For those wishing to pay their respects further, the Holocaust Memorial Day Book of Remembrance is available for signing both online and in person at Chesterfield Town Hall. Both books will be accessible from Monday, January 12 through to Monday, February 2, 2026.
