In our area we have a unique link with the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

People in Watford who are old enough remember what could be seen of the air battles over London and indeed what was experienced here.

At Bentley Priory, near Bushey Heath, is the Museum that, in 1940, was the Headquarters of Fighter Command. Few names from the Second World War are more famous than that of Lord Dowding, who led Fighter Command at Bentley Priory.

It was his leadership and vision that contributed so much to the defeat of the German Air Force then, and therefore to the freedoms that we have enjoyed ever since.

The young pilots of Fighter Command, known as The Few, fought in the Spitfires and Hurricanes of which there are examples in the Museum. Many, alas, died in the battle.

A commemorative musical and an exhibition are now open at Bentley Priory Museum. The musical has been specially composed by Philip Barnett and Bryan Kesselman, who direct the perfortmance.

The singers are members of the Tonic Choir and children from (on different days) St. John's CE School, Grimsdyke School and Harrow Youth Choir.

As they sang 'I want to be one of the Few', it was a moving thought to me that these children are only a few years older than I was in 1940.

The choirs, in smart school uniforms, do much more than sing: they lead the audience round the Museum, introducing the historic displays that illustrate the achievement of Fighter Command in the Battle of Britain.

Each session begins with a recording of the air-raid syrens that were so familiar as the enemy aircraft approached.

There are even more evocative recordings of Churchill's voice, quoted from his famous speeches, followed by short talks on the Battle of Britain and on the essential role of the staff at Bentley Priory.

One of the talks is in the Central Lobby of the Museum, expanding on the theme of the exhibits there, 'A Day in the Life of a Battle of Britain Pilot'.

The musical episodes that form part of the performance are appropriate and agreeable. They are composed in a style that recalls the wartime idiom - different from today's popular music. It is tuneful and comparatively simple.

The choirs have been carefully rehearsed: the children and the adults of the Tonic Choir work well together.

They sing clearly in this idiom, unfamiliar though it may be to later generations. They take their places confidently in the various rooms.

Bentley Priory itself is a historic mansion, designed by a famous 18th Century architect and inhabited since by famous people, including royalty.

Another pleasure of a visit is the surrounding parkland, with its distant views over London. But the main reason for a visit is, of course, to understand the key role of the Few and the part played by Fighter Command.

The temporary exhibition continues until 3 October and the last performance of the music is on 26 September.

It is good to hear (and see) local musical organisations working together for this worthy purpose.

Fighter Command and the Battle for Britain, Bentley Priory Museum, Stanmore. All performances are now sold out, but for more information visit bentleypriorymuseum.org.uk