Hampshire County Council will be flying the Commonwealth flag in Winchester on 8 March, to mark Commonwealth Day.
As a collective public expression of commitment to the Commonwealth, the event enables participants tocelebrate how friendship, goodwill and collaboration among the culturally diverse member nations can be harnessed to promote peace and prosperity across Commonwealth countries, which span Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Americas, Europe, and the Pacific.
HM Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson Esq. said: “Commonwealth Day marks when the nations of the Commonwealth agreed to move forward together as free and equal members. The vision and sense of connection that inspired the signatories has stood the test of time, and the Commonwealth continues to grow - adapting to address contemporary needs.”
Hampshire County Council Chairman, Councillor Melville Kendal said: “We are once again proudly flying the flag to mark Commonwealth Day – when our 54 member countries and 2.4 billion citizens come together to uphold our values of democracy, inclusivity and diversity; and recommit to common goals – with themes in 2021 which include protecting natural resources and boosting trade.
“Although this year we have not be able to hold our usual flag-raising ceremony outside the Great Hall in Winchester, we are still flying the flag to show our support and appreciation for the values the Commonwealth upholds.”
The message from HM The Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, will be broadcast live on BBC One on Sunday 7 March in place of the usual ceremony at Westminster Abbey.