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More history in the making as Commonwealth flag flies high

Published: 06/03/2015

More than 730 Commonwealth Flags will be raised in locations throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, UK Overseas Territories, and Commonwealth countries on Monday 9 March – Commonwealth Day 2015. Heads of State and Prime Ministers; Lord Mayors and Mayors; Town Councils and Local Authorities; school children and college students; members of Girlguiding and Scouts from around the UK and Commonwealth; Sea, Army, and Air Cadets; charities and community groups; Commonwealth Ex-Servicemen and major shipping lines, and many others around the world will join to raise more than 730 Commonwealth Flags at 10am on Monday 9 March 2015 in a shared celebration of this amazing family of nations that encompasses the globe. A specially written Commonwealth Affirmation will be read out at each ceremony before the raising of the Commonwealth Flag at 10am that morning. In Flintshire, the Affirmation will be read out by the Chair of the County Council, Councillor Glenys Diskin, who will also lead the service. She said: It is an honour to be raising the Commonwealth Flag on behalf of Flintshire County Council on Commonwealth Day. I am sure this initiative, uniting communities under one event, where flags will be raised in unison, will raise awareness of the Commonwealth and what it represents to everyone, whether through local, nationwide or charitable organisations. This unique initiative, now in its second year, is again catching the imagination of thousands of participants from all walks of life, inspiring them to join with others throughout the Commonwealth. As a collective public expression of commitment to the Commonwealth, it enables participants to show appreciation for the values the Commonwealth upholds, and the opportunities offered for friendship and cooperation with fellow Commonwealth citizens around the world. A special message of good wishes from Her Majesty The Queen to all those taking part will be read out by Philip Eyton-Jones, the Deputy Lieutenant of Clwyd before the raising of the flag that morning. A personal message from His Excellency Kamalesh Sharma, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, and a specially written Commonwealth Affirmation, will be read out at each ceremony. In a common act of witness around the globe members of this great family of nations will reaffirm the commitment of all Commonwealth member states to democracy, development, and respect for diversity. In an imaginative international partnership charity teams from ‘Fields of Life’, a charity linking Northern Ireland and Uganda, will mark the day by taking the Commonwealth Flag to the tops of the four highest national peaks of the United Kingdom: Scafell Pike in England; Ben Nevis in Scotland; Snowdon in Wales; and Slieve Donard in Northern Ireland. They will also raise the Flag in five schools, one in each of the five Regions of Uganda. These endeavours will raise funds and awareness of their worthy cause. Bruno Peek LVO OBE OPR - Pageantmaster, Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth’, said: I am amazed how quickly this event has caught the public imagination in so many Commonwealth countries. We are only in our second year, and the involvement of so many people of all ages and from all walks of life shows the enormous potential of this project and of the Commonwealth. It is a positive and uplifting way for people to link with fellow citizens of the Commonwealth in a family that spans across oceans and continents. There is a real sense of promise, and hope for the future.I am especially delighted that Doodle, a new, and up and coming UK company has joined this project as our sponsor of the Flag Pole and Commonwealth Flag being located outside the Great West Door of Westminster Abbey, London, that will raised just before the start of the Commonwealth Observance there that day. His Excellency Kamalesh Sharma, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth said: “Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth is a most imaginative way for people in local communities – wherever they live, learn or work – to join together with others throughout the Commonwealth in a spirit of respect and understanding to celebrate the variety and unmatched diversity of our global family. I welcome and commend it.” “All our citizens, particularly the young, can express appreciation for the Commonwealth and the values for which it stands as set out in the Commonwealth Charter, and the rich opportunities it offers for mutual support towards more inclusive social and more equitable economic progress.” NOTE TO EDITORS Fly a Flag for the CommonwealthBruno Peek LVO OBE OPR - Pageantmaster Tel: 07737 262 913 Email: pageantmaster@mac.com Commonwealth Secretariat David Banks - Public Affairs Advisor to the Secretary-General Tel: 0207 747 6130 - 07770 400 031 Email: d.banks@commonwealth.int