Proudly Flying The Flag This Commonwealth Day

The Commonwealth Flag flew proudly outside Caerphilly County Borough Council’s headquarters Penallta House today (Monday 14th March) to mark Commonwealth Day. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

This annual initiative sees over 650 Commonwealth flags raised in 38 Commonwealth countries on a day which offers an opportunity for people worldwide to show their commitment to the Commonwealth, appreciation for the values it standards for, and opportunities offered to its citizens. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

A short dedication and flag-raising was led by the council’s Mayor Cllr Leon Gardiner and Leader Cllr Keith Reynolds. Deputy Leader Cllr David Poole and Wayne David MP also attended to show their support for the occasion. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr Leon Gardiner said, “Commonwealth Day is a day of unity, and by us proudly flying the flag it demonstrates that Caerphilly county borough is proud to show its support and join together with other Commonwealth countries across the world”. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr Keith Reynolds read the Commonwealth Affirmation at the dedication, which states: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Joining together as members of one worldwide Commonwealth community, and valuing the personal dignity and worth of every citizen, we raise this flag as a symbol of the ties of kinship and affinity that we cherish. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

We draw inspiration from our diversity, and the opportunities for working together, as a rich source of wisdom and a powerful influence for good in the world. We affirm our commitment to upholding the values set out in the Commonwealth Charter, to serving one another in a spirit of respect and understanding, and to advancing development, democracy and cooperation locally, nationally and internationally”. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​