More than 850 Commonwealth Flags will be raised in locations throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, UK Overseas Territories, and Commonwealth countries and on Monday 14 March – Commonwealth Day 2016 and Felixstowe will be amongst them.
The Mayor of Felixstowe, Cllr Doreen Savage, will raise the flag on behalf of the Town Council at 10am on Monday 14 March – Commonwealth Day 2016 – joining others around the world in a shared celebration of this family of nations that encompasses the globe.
This unique initiative, now in its third year, is again catching the imagination of thousands of participants from all walks of life, inspiring them to join with others throughout the Commonwealth. The Mayor of Felixstowe, Cllr Doreen Savage, said “The Town Council is delighted to join in this collective public expression of commitment to the Commonwealth, to show appreciation for the values the Commonwealth upholds, and the opportunities offered for friendship and cooperation with fellow Commonwealth citizens of all ages around the world.”
Anyone who is interested in this event is welcome to attend beside the flagpole at Sea Road/end of Arwela Road, Felixstowe. The Mayor will read out a personal message from His Excellency Kamalesh Sharma, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, and a specially written Commonwealth Affirmation, before the raising of the Commonwealth Flag at 10.00hrs.
The event is being organised in association with The Royal Commonwealth Society this year. Lord Howell, President of The Royal Commonwealth Society said “The Royal Commonwealth Society is proud to be associated with Fly a Flag on Commonwealth Day and welcomes the flying of the Commonwealth Flag over public buildings throughout the whole Commonwealth network. Flying the Flag brings us all together in a great family of Nations, seeking to work together to help a troubled world.”
Halaevalu Mangisi Palu, Chief Commissioner (GGAKT) said: “In Tonga, where time begins, the Girl Guides Association of the Kingdom of Tonga (GGAKT) are humbled to be granted the honour to be the first country in the world to raise the Commonwealth Flag at 10.00hrs on 9th March 2015, leading the youth of the Commonwealth in this unique, historic, global event that morning. We are indeed very happy and look forward to the day, and are determined with the youth of Tonga to embrace with passion our involvement in support of the Commonwealth Charter, which should empower each and every one of us to be better citizens of the World. We salute the Commonwealth Nations, to which we stay indebted, for all forms of assistance to her family of nations, including our small Island Kingdom. ‘Of a atu.”
In Norfolk and Suffolk, UK, 44 town councils are taking part, and will be raising Commonwealth Flags at significant locations across the counties through the generous support from Nwes.
Bruno Peek LVO OBE OPR – Originator and Commonwealth Pageantmaster, of ‘Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth’, said: “I am amazed how quickly this event has caught the public imagination in so many Commonwealth countries and are delighted to be involving The Royal Commonwealth Society in the project this year. We are only in our third 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 in this current troubled world of ours.
We also celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s 90th Birthday on the 21st April this year, so marks a special occasion for the Commonwealth too, especially as The Queen is its Head.”
We encourage public institutions, schools, civil society organisations and the media in a Commonwealth member states to consider how ‘An Inclusive Commonwealth’ can be promoted through their activities – including Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth”.