The children attended Watford Town Hall at 930am and in the evening at 9pm at Watford Musuem.

Our children read a poignant message about the importance of not forgetting the sacrifice that was made for our freedoms we enjoy today.

Here is the speech that Harrison, Misha and Shulav read:

At 3pm on Tuesday 8th May 1945, VE Day -Victory in Europe Day- was announced by Winston Churchill (the British Prime Minister) through a radio broadcast to the nation.

In this broadcast he announced, the very welcome and long awaited news, that Germany had unconditionally surrendered the day before and that the war had finally ended in Europe.

In his speech he included a note of caution, saying: ‘We may allow ourselves a brief period of rejoicing; but let us not forget for a moment the toil and efforts that lie ahead.’

VE Day marked the end of six years of war against Nazi Germany. It meant an end to the years of a war that had cost the lives of millions. The war had destroyed homes, families, and cities; and had brought huge suffering to the populations of entire countries around the world.

The long anticipated news of the end of the war in Europe resulted in celebrations breaking out across the nation, and a national holiday was declared. Millions of people rejoiced and were relieved that the intense strain of war was finally over.

In Watford 80 years ago today, there were spontaneous celebrations with dancing and singing. Bonfires and street parties sprang up across our town as well many people joining in with a huge party in Cassiobury Park.

Yet, behind this jubilation we must not forget the many deeply personal stories of war. Stories of resilience, sacrifice, and uncertainty about the future. Beyond the street parties and cheering crowds, many service personnel and their families faced a fear that those who had fought in Europe might be redeployed to Asia or the Pacific to fight in the war against Japan. The relief of victory was tempered by anxiety about what lay ahead and the war didn’t end until August 1945.

The 80th anniversary of VE Day is a time for our nation, and our communities in Watford, to come together to learn about the stories of those that served from our town, from our families, and those that served across the world.

Many of those who fought and lived through the war have now passed on, but we must not forget the great resilience, sacrifices and struggle the wartime generation made in order for the peace time freedoms, rule of law and democracy that we enjoy in Watford today.

80 years on, remembering has never felt so important with the current hostilities and tensions across the world. Many of these have impacted on our school communities and families in Watford.

It is only by future generations learning from conflicts such as the Second World War, as well as more recent conflicts, and listening to their devastating effects from those who experienced them, that we bring to life the realities of war.

It must remind us all to work for peace in our communities, and in the world, so that our freedoms are upheld for generations to come.