At 10am today, Monday 14 March, the Commonwealth flag was raised over Solihull Council House to mark Commonwealth Day.
Held on the second Monday of every March, Commonwealth Day is designed to celebrate the shared values that unite 2.5 billion people across 54 countries, offering opportunities for friendship and cooperation between the diverse and vibrant cultures within the Commonwealth.
The Mayor of Solihull, Councillor Ken Meeson, and the Mayoress Mrs Annette Meeson were joined at the flag raising by notable members of the local community, including the Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands Mr Chris Loughran and Julian Knight MP.
Before the flag was raised, Mr Loughran read out the Commonwealth Day Message from Her Majesty The Queen, followed by the Mayor reading the Commonwealth Affirmation. The order to raise the flag was then given by three local school children, Shai Moore from Alderbrook School and Poppy Burrows and Sophia Roddy from Knowle C of E Primary Academy, whose excellent poem and poster had been selected by the Mayor as winning entries in a Commonwealth Day artwork competition.
As the Commonwealth Games will be taking place in the West Midlands this summer, Birmingham 2022 was the inspiration for this year’s artwork competition. Pupils across the borough were asked to produce a poem or poster which reflected the Games’ motto of ‘bring people together’.
The Mayor of Solihull, Councillor Ken Meeson, said:
“I am delighted that Solihull is once again flying the flag for Commonwealth Day, as it is the perfect way to champion the values of respect, diversity and equality that the Commonwealth embodies.
“The flag raising brings greater appreciation of Commonwealth values, and it is wonderful to see school children learning of its importance and thoughtfully reflecting these values in their artwork.”
The work produced by young people in the borough to celebrate Commonwealth Day and the upcoming Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games will be displayed later in the year.
For more information on Commonwealth Day, visit: Commonwealth Day | Commonwealth (thecommonwealth.org)