‘FLYING THE FLAG FOR THE COMMONWEALTH ON 11 MARCH 2019’

Posted by Town Hall Staff 05 March 2019

Felixstowe will join locations throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, UK Overseas Territories, and Commonwealth countries as more than 1,000 Commonwealth Flags will be raised on Monday 11 March – Commonwealth Day 2019.

The Mayor of Felixstowe, Cllr Graham Newman, will raise the flag on behalf of the Town Council at 10am on Monday 11 March – Commonwealth Day 2019 – joining others around the world in a shared celebration of this family of nations that encompasses the globe.

Anyone who is interested in this event is welcome to attend beside the flagpole at the Town Hall, Undercliff Road, Felixstowe. The Mayor will read out a personal message from Her Majesty The Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, and the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations, will be read, followed by a Commonwealth Affirmation. This common act of witness renews the commitment of people in Commonwealth countries to work together inclusively and in a spirit of goodwill to towards democracy and development in which all can share.

This unique initiative, now in its sixth 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 Graham Newman, said

“The Town Council is delighted to confirm its ongoing participation in this collective expression of commitment to the Commonwealth. In uncertain times it is more important than ever 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.”

Scouts in The Bahamas, Belize, Grenada, Jamaica, Malaysia, Maldives, Republic of Malta, Mauritius, New Zealand, Samoa, Sri Lanka, and Trinidad and Tobago will also be raising the Commonwealth flag at 10.00hrs local time on 11 March, joining thousands of other young people around the world in committing themselves to the values of the Commonwealth Charter and the 2019 Commonwealth theme: ‘A Connected Commonwealth’. This year’s theme explores how the Commonwealth can address global challenges and work to create a better future for all citizens based on foundations of sustainability, safety, prosperity and fairness, in accordance with the priorities of the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held in London.

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 the UK and around the Commonwealth. We are only in our fifth year, and the participation 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 and assist 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.

The Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations, The Right Honourable Patricia Scotland QC, said: “Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth has swiftly become well-established as an imaginative annual demonstration of Commonwealth connection. It provides a splendid opportunity every year for people from all walks of life to join with others in their local community to celebrate Commonwealth Day in association with fellow citizens throughout our worldwide family.

 “Together we number over 2.4 billion people, a third of the world’s population. Each of us has something very special to offer, and as Commonwealth citizens we gain and draw benefit from vast interconnected networks of mutual support and collaboration.

 “Our 2019 is ‘A Connected Commonwealth’, and it has particular significance as we mark the 70th anniversary of the 1949 London Declaration which brought into being the Commonwealth we know today – a family of nations ‘freely co-operating in the pursuit of peace, liberty and progress’”

For more details about the event, please contact Felixstowe Town Council via the detail above.