Date issued: 3 March 2020
Colchester Borough Council is flying the Flag to mark Commonwealth Day on Monday, 9 March 2020.
Colchester will join Heads of State and Prime Ministers, Lord Mayors and Mayors, students, Girl Guides and Scouts, Sea, Army and Air Cadets, charities and community groups, Commonwealth ex-servicemen, major shipping lines and many others around the world, to raise more than 730 Commonwealth Flags at 10.00am local time.
Colchester’s ceremony will see The Mayor, Councillor Nick Cope, read out a personal message from the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations, The Right Honourable Patricia Scotland QC, a message of good wishes from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and a specially written Commonwealth Affirmation.
Along with the Mayoress, Mrs Elizabeth Cope, and in front of invited guests gathered on the Town Hall entrance steps, the Mayor will then raise the specially commissioned Flag. The Flag will remain in place for a week.
Mayor Nick Cope said: “I’m delighted to be participating in this global event marking Colchester’s support for the Commonwealth, its communities and the values it upholds. Along with the honour of reading a special message from Her Majesty The Queen, it is a great opportunity for the people of Colchester to celebrate the importance of maintaining bonds between nations and the benefits of friendship and co-operation that the Commonwealth stands for.”
Commonwealth Day 2020 will be celebrated nationwide with activities including debates, school assemblies, flag-raising ceremonies, street parties, cultural events and a multicultural, multifaith service at Westminster Abbey in London.
The theme for the 2020 Commonwealth Day, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and for the work of the Commonwealth more generally is 'Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming'.
For more information, visit www.flyaflagforthecommonwealth.co.uk
Page last reviewed: 3 March 2020