A group of 60 gathered at Calne Town Hall on Sunday (27th Aug) to celebrate Ukrainian Independence Day in commemoration of the Declaration of Independence of 1991.
Mary Wakeham, a Trustee of Heart of the Community, who sponsored the event commented: 
"Independence Day celebrations are always bittersweet for the Ukranian Community. It serves as a reminder of past victories, while also bringing the cost of war for maintaining independence to the front."
During the service, pictures of beautiful pre-war buildings were presented alongside the same buildings in their current state and Ukrainian, Nadia Tymoshenko, currently living in Calne, reminded those present that Independence Day was not simply a historic event, but something that is thought of every day, a concept that is remembered with every building that is destroyed, with every soldier joining the front line, fighting for Ukrainian independence once again.
Perhaps not surprisingly, there were tears among the guests, yet this did not mar their gratitude to their hosts and the Calne Community who had welcomed them into their homes and town.
Mary added: "Heart of the Community, on behalf of Calne Ukranians, would like to express their thanks to Mayor Robert MacNaughton for attending the event and Calne Town Council for its generosity in funding the celebration and of course, the Calne community for embracing the Ukranians with such love.
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