Commonwealth Day 2024 is being marked at Tendring District Council’s (TDC) Clacton Town Hall today (Monday, 11 March) with the flying of the Commonwealth Flag.

The flag was hoisted after a short ceremony led by TDC Chairman Gary Scott, who read the Commonwealth Affirmation, with the service attended by members of the public.

The affirmation reads: “We affirm that every person possesses unique worth and dignity. We affirm our desire for peace among all peoples and nations, and our belief in justice for everyone, everywhere. We affirm our respect for the natural world, and that we will be stewards of the earth by working together to care for every part of it.

“We affirm our support for all young people in every part of our Commonwealth and, in honouring their ingenuity and imagination, we affirm our belief that the future success of the Commonwealth rests with them.

“Joining together in kinship, affinity, and unity, we celebrate the precious diversity of thought, culture, tradition, and experience across our family of nations, and we build on shared inheritances.

“We reiterate our commitment to the values of the Commonwealth Charter, both as an expression of our ideals and aspirations, and as a framework for common action.

“Through our Commonwealth connection we see each other, hear each other, learn from one another, and co-operate with mutual respect and goodwill to deliver a resilient common future for all our communities and nations.”

Reverend Andrew Fordyce MBE, the Chairman’s Chaplain, also gave some readings and led prayers as part of the service.

Councillor Gary Scott said: “It was a privilege to have a role in this special day and to oversee the Commonwealth Flag being flown to show unity across the Commonwealth and how Tendring stands with all of those nations.”

Tendring is one of hundreds of locations flying the flag across 56 countries throughout the Commonwealth nations of the world, and local authorities and civic dignitaries, community groups and charities throughout the British Isles are taking part in flag-raising events.

The theme for this year’s event is ‘One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth’.

The theme highlights how all member countries must harness their strengths by building resilience, unlocking potential, leveraging the ‘Commonwealth Advantage’, and fostering a connected, digital Commonwealth. This transformation is vital to ensure a resilient common future where no one is left behind.

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