Hackney to join people from across globe to Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth
Hackney will stand alongside hundreds of others in Commonwealth countries across the world as part of a public expression of commitment to the ‘family of nations’.
Residents are invited to watch as the blue and yellow Commonwealth standard is raised above Hackney Town Hall, Mare Street, at 10am on 9 March as part of Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth celebration.
It is the second year of the event and this year will see more than 650 other Commonwealth flags raised in 38 Commonwealth countries.
On the day, Hackney Speaker Cllr Sharon Patrick will read the Commonwealth Affirmation, which describes the united flag-flying as a “symbol of the ties of friendship [the countries] cherish, affirming kinship and common purpose”.
The Commonwealth is made up of 53 states - mostly territories of the former British Empire - spanning nearly a quarter of the globe and incorporating more than 2.3 billion people.
In these turbulent times, it is more important than ever that people from around the world come together to spread the messages of the Commonwealth which include the promotion of peace and prosperity for all.
The first flag will be raised in Tonga, known as the place where time begins, by the Girl Guides Association of the Kingdom of Tonga.
Teams from anti-poverty charity Fields of Life will mark the day by taking the Commonwealth flags to the top of the UK's four highest National Peaks: Scafell Pike in England; Mount Snowdon in Wales; Ben Nevis in Scotland; and Slieve Donard in Northern Ireland.
For the first time, youngsters from the Royal Air Force Air Cadets will be taking part.
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 to join together with others throughout the Commonwealth in a spirit of respect and understanding to celebrate the variety of unmatched diversity of our global family. I welcome and commend it."