Southend Flies The Flag For The Commonwealth

March 8, 2016 by Southend Borough Council

Southend flies the flag for the Commonwealth

Monday 7th March 2016

At 10am on Monday 14th March, Southend will join the family of nations across the globe celebrating Commonwealth Day.

The Worshipful the Mayor of Southend, Councillor Andrew Moring will raise the Commonwealth Flag outside Southend Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southend.

He will share this historic moment with hundreds of other Mayors, Heads of State, Prime Ministers, children, students, Guides and Scouts from the UK and Commonwealth; Sea, Army, and Air Cadets; charities and community groups; Commonwealth Ex-Service people, staff on major shipping lines, crews on sailing ships and many others worldwide.

Like Councillor Moring, those leading their respective flag ceremonies will read out a personal message from His Excellency Kamalesh Sharma, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.

They will re-affirm the commitment of all Commonwealth member states to democracy, development, and respect for diversity.

Councillor Moring said: “We are especially pleased to be taking part in this important international event during the 90th birthday year of Her Majesty the Queen, the Head of the Commonwealth.”

More than 850 Commonwealth Flags will be raised throughout Britain, the Channel Islands, Isle of Man, UK Overseas Territories, and Commonwealth countries.

This unique initiative, now in its third year it has inspired thousands of people from all walks of life to join with others throughout the Commonwealth.

Through this public expression of commitment to the Commonwealth, it aims to help participants collectively show their appreciation for the values upheld by the Commonwealth, and the opportunities offered for friendship and cooperation with fellow Commonwealth young and old citizens around the world.

The 2016 event is organised in association with The Royal Commonwealth Society.

Its theme - An Inclusive Commonwealth – celebrates the values of tolerance, respect and understanding, equity and fairness, set out in the Commonwealth Charter, and the richness of the Commonwealth as a family of nations in which each member state is valued equally and has an equal voice.

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.”

Commonwealth Flags will be flown at many locations of special significance including:

• on the Island of the Republic of Malta
• in Tristan Da Cunha, the most remote United Kingdom Overseas Territory
• in St. David's in Pembrokeshire, the westernmost city in Wales
• in Carlisle in Cumbria, the northernmost city in England
• in Lowestoft in Suffolk, the easternmost town in England
• in Unst in the Shetland Islands, the most northerly inhabited island in Scotland
• at the Rothera Research Station on the Antarctic Peninsula
• at the Halley VI Research Station on the Brunt Ice Shelf