This weekend we celebrated 70 years of the Ukrainian community in Waltham Cross and 50 years of our Club. This building, this community, these people are part of me. They are the village that helped raise me and my brother. They are the support network for my mum. They are some of my best and oldest friends. When I was growing up I was embarrassed to be seen in my embroidered shirt and changed as quickly as I could after concerts and events, never once considering the time and effort that had gone into hand stitching its beautiful design or its meaning. I didn't want to be seen to be different or unique; yet I missed the vital part of it all. By wearing it, I was showing people I was (I am) part of a thriving, loving community of people and not 'different' at all. I belonged. I still do, even though I don't speak the language and there is a new generation of children attending Shkola and dancing those traditional dances. My Dido (grandfather), gentle soul that he was, went through so much that I will never be able to understand. Yet because of his toils, I am able to celebrate my heritage proudly, alongside my friends who celebrate theirs. #ukrainian #heritage #dnister #augb #augbwalthamcross