A monument to peace that has twice been vandalised has been rebuilt stronger than ever.
The Peace Arch in Cassiobury Park’s Peace Garden was found lying in pieces in August 2020.
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It was repaired by volunteers from Watford Interfaith Association (WIFA), but Watford Mayor Peter Taylor and MP Dean Russell attended the opening of the new Peace Arch on Sunday, June 19.
Video by Charu Joshi
Mr Russell said: “Peace is fragile and when I think about the damage that was done previously to the arch, it was broken because it was fragile.
"But what happens when we come together and say, this is not what we want, this is not what we will take, usually it will come back much stronger.”
The arch stands at the entrance to the Peace Garden’s labyrinth and was donated by Ms Murphy, co-ordinator of the Watford Bridge of Peace, which brought together women of different backgrounds and faiths in sisterhood ceremonies for ten years.
After the vandalism WIFA felt it was important to re-erect the Peace Arch as a symbol of peace and harmony in the town.
WIFA member Sri Mohan said he could build a stronger arch with the help of his friend Bob Smallworth.
Money raised by the young people who had worked in the Peace Garden with the National Citizen Service last summer was enough to pay for stainless steel tubing.
Read more: Volunteers attempt to fix archway after it was found broken in Peace Garden
Sri Mohan and Mr Smallworth designed and welded the structure, dug the foundations and concreted in the arch, and Sunday’s event was held to thank everyone for all their hard work.
The ribbon was cut by Ellarose, Bob's daughter, who had just turned nine.
Jeff Bateman, MC and leader of the Peace Garden team, said: “This is a peace garden where all can come to find peace; but always remember, peace begins with me.”
Mr Bateman also introduced speakers including Francoise Murphy, Mitty Tomha, President of the Women's Federation for World Peace UK, Cllr Rabi Martins, who introduced the members of NCS / Watford Football Club who raised the funds, Mr Mohan, Elected Mayor and WIFA patron Peter Taylor.
WIFA chair Harjit Singh thanked everyone for coming, saying that progress in the Peace Garden had been amazing and he was particularly pleased that a young person had cut the ribbon.
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