Flag to be raised in Grantham on Commonwealth Day

Flags will be raised in over 50 locations throughout the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth at 10am on Monday, March 13.

South Kesteven’s ‘Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth’ event will be held outside SKDC’s offices in St Peter’s Hill in Grantham, led by Chairman of South Kesteven District Council, Coun Judy Smith.

A personal message from the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations, The Right Honourable Patricia Scotland QC, and a specially written Commonwealth Affirmation, will be read out at the ceremony before the raising of the flag at 10am. Community groups and individuals are welcome to attend the ceremony.

The messages will reaffirm the commitment of all Commonwealth member states to democracy, development, and respect for diversity.

It enables participants to show appreciation for the values the Commonwealth upholds, and the opportunities offered for friendship and cooperation with young and old fellow Commonwealth citizens around the world.

Young members of the United Kingdom Army Cadet Force (ACF) will also take the Commonwealth flag to the top of the highest peaks in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Meanwhile 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 10am local time.

They will join thousands of other young people around the world in committing themselves to the values of the Commonwealth Charter and this year’s special theme: ‘A Peace-building Commonwealth’.

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. 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.

“I am also extremely delighted to announce that our chosen international charity for this event and for the next five years is Make-A-Wish UK.”

For more details about Make a Wish and to support the charity go to www.make-a-wish.org.uk