Words by European Movement member, Alan Mockford.

A thousand European flags adorned the streets of Richmond Upon Thames from 10th May until 9th June this year to celebrate the borough’s European partnerships with Fontainebleau in France & Konstanz in Germany.

One hundred pro-European events were staged by partnered clubs, associations and schools, involving tens of thousands of Richmond residents and 500 guests from France and Germany. There was some initial opposition from a few local anti-Europeans, who demanded that the flags were taken down. However, the council stood its ground and this small minority were quickly silenced by a sea of goodwill as the borough looked so beautiful. Who could possibly be against peace, friendship, sport, culture and educational opportunity?

A stunning new mural in the foyer of the wonderfully restored Art Deco Richmond station, featuring the three European towns, was greeted with universal acclaim and a month of celebrations reached a stupendous climax with a parade, Reaffirmation ceremony and concert on Sunday 8th June. The German Ambassador described the event as the most beautiful that he had attended in his three years here.

Demand for tickets for the performance by the European Youth Orchestra, comprising 100 musicians from Richmond, Fontainebleau, and Konstanz plus Lodi, in Italy, Sintra in Portugal and Alba Iulia in Romania, far exceeded supply. Consequently the concert, to a packed house in the Landmark Arts Centre, was streamed live to the world. When the audience joined the orchestra in a moving rendition of Auld Lang Syne to conclude the celebrations, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

Watch the highlights of the Reaffirmation in Richmond here:

Our experience in Richmond confirmed that we must actively promote the benefits of European co-operation and friendship, and not leave the stage to Farage and his cronies to peddle their poison.

For further information about the Reaffirmation, find out more here.