Watford Interfaith Association has celebrated its 40th anniversary at a birthday bash at Watford Boys Grammar School.

Forty years ago in the sitting room of Geoffrey Bould, a few friends of different faiths decided to have conversations about their religious backgrounds at a time when people were not particularly interested in religion.

Fast-forward 40 years and the association exists in a time when people of all faiths come together during times of tragedy, such as the attacks on Westminster, Manchester and Borough Market.

At the event on Sunday, there was a symbolic water ceremony whereby representatives of all the faiths present poured water from glasses into a bowl together. Then the anniversary cake was cut.

As patron of Watford Interfaith Association, Mayor Dorothy Thornhill said: “In those days people did not care about religion, it was only when the bombing started, then it was by the IRA, that people began to realise how important it was to have discussions and gain understanding of one another's faiths.

“Watford Interfaith Association members got the message that it was important to forge relationships, talk together and work together. The association has taken this into the community over the years and developed this.”

The association has held vigils at times of disaster, delivers a memorial lecture most years, gathers for the annual Week of Prayer for World Peace, and is now creating an interfaith peace garden in Cassiobury Park.