Commonwealth Day 2020
On Monday 9 March 2020, Silloth-on-Solway took part in the Commonwealth Day celebration, with the raising of the Commonwealth Flag in the Community Garden on Silloth Green. The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 54 independent and equal countries, working towards shared goals of development, democracy and peace. The ceremony was well attended, with representatives from Solway Community School and other groups and organisations in the town. It was a pleasant Spring morning, with a slight breeze…..perfect for a flag raising ceremony.
At 9.45am, Cllr. Graham Wilkinson, Deputy Mayor of Silloth welcomed everyone to the Flag Raising Ceremony.
Tom Hailwood, Deputy Head of Solway Community School and Arran DeMello, Chair of the School Council read out the 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 towards democracy and development in which all can share.
This year’s event is centred around the theme ‘Delivering a Common Future’, highlighting how the 54 member countries in the Commonwealth family are ‘innovating, connecting and transforming’ to help achieve some of its biggest goals like protecting natural resources and boosting trade.
Cllr. Wilkinson read out the Commonwealth Day message from Her Majesty The Queen, Head of the Commonwealth. In her message, she touches on the theme of connectivity, mentioning how “advances in technology and modern media have now enabled many more people to witness and enjoy – with remarkable immediacy – the experience of Commonwealth connection, in areas such as education, medicine and conservation”
She ended by saying: “On this Commonwealth Day I hope that the people and countries of the Commonwealth will be inspired by all that we share, and move forward with fresh resolve to enhance the Commonwealth’s influence for good in our world.”
At 10.00am, Cllr. Wilkinson, raised the Commonwealth Flag, this being the sixth year that Silloth has taken part.
Cllr. Wilkinson thanked everyone for attending the ceremony.
In a message from The Right Honourable Patricia Scotland QC, the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations, “Our conviction is that with common purpose and by learning from one another, all can give and all can gain.
This approach leads to innovation that transforms lives and livelihoods so that there is inclusive progress and greater prosperity in which all can share.
It inspires us to encourage ourselves and others to more profound depths of co-operation and greater heights of achievement. So taking our cue from the theme, we can each commit this Commonwealth Day to join with others and bring change by doing something new.
