The Portuguese community in Watford came together to celebrate their heritage and support their local community
A lively Portugal Day celebration in Watford, UK raised more than £2,700 (around €3,168) to support the development of a new local school library.
The event, held on Portugal Day (June 10), brought together students, staff, and members of the local Portuguese community at Laurance Haines Primary School for a day filled with music, dance, and traditional food.
Organised in collaboration with the Watford Portuguese Association – originally founded at the school 13 years ago – the event featured a popular raffle and a variety of food stalls, with all proceeds going toward the library project. Prizes donated by local Portuguese businesses included wine, snacks, and other regional delicacies.
The school was decorated with vibrant symbols of Portuguese culture, including the iconic rooster, making the celebration not only a successful fundraiser but a colourful expression of community and heritage.
The celebration was attended by Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, who was joined by the head teacher, school staff, students, representatives from the Watford Portuguese Association, and the Elected Representative for Portuguese Communities in the UK and Republic of Ireland. Their involvement highlighted the “strong bond between the school and the Portuguese community in Watford,” according to a Watford Town Hall statement.
“I had a great time attending the Portugal Day celebrations at Laurance Haines School. It was wonderful to see Watford’s Portuguese community proudly celebrating their culture, food, and traditions with the local community. The amount raised for the school’s new library is fantastic and will make a big difference to the students. A big thank you to everyone who helped organise this event. Our town’s diversity and community spirit are what make Watford such a special place to live,” said Watford mayor Peter Taylor.
The event’s success was also celebrated by Headteacher of Laurance Haines Primary School, Jo Ball. “At Laurance Haines, we are lucky to have such a diverse school community. This was such a wonderful event which brought not only or Portuguese community together but our whole school community. It was fantastic to see the pride on the children’s faces when they sang the Portuguese national anthem,” she said.
Sandra Mano, Elected representative of Portuguese communities in the UK and ROI, added: “These celebrations give us a chance to share our history and culture with younger generations, helping them stay connected to their roots and develop a sense of pride in who they are. Events like this also provide a valuable opportunity for the wider community to learn about our traditions, build stronger bonds, and foster an inclusive environment for everyone.”
