FOR the first time in Okehampton two Commonwealth flags have been raised representing the town’s participation in the international celebration of Commonwealth Day.

Held on the second Monday of March each year, Commonwealth Day is an opportunity for individuals, communities and organisations to promote the Commonwealth’s shared values of peace, democracy and equality, as well as celebrate the association’s rich diversity.

Fly a Flag for Commonwealth is an initiative now in its third year. As a collective public expression of commitment to the Commonwealth, the flag raising event enables participants to show appreciation for the values the Commonwealth upholds, and the opportunities offered for friendship and cooperation with fellow Commonwealth citizens around the world.

At 10am on Monday (March 13) a flag was raised at St James’ Chapel in Okehampton town centre in order to mark the town’s support and participation in Commonwealth Day. A second flag was raised by the Okehampton Army Cadet Force at the battle camp headquarters.

Okehampton Mayor Cllr Jan Goffey, read out the Commonwealth affirmation at the foot of St James’ bell tower, accompanied by town councillors, the town clerk and members of the public.

Speaking after the ceremony the mayor said: ‘Fifty two countries of the Commonwealth celebrate Commonwealth Day and 2017 marks forty years since Commonwealth Day became a global celebration.

‘People from the Commonwealth have helped this country in times of war and peace and I am proud to represent our town in asserting the Commonwealth Affirmation at the raising of the Commonwealth flag this morning.’

Town clerk Paul Snell added: ‘The reading of the Commonwealth Affirmation marked the turning of a new page — and possibly the start of a new tradition — to acknowledge this global community of interests here in Okehampton. 

‘The town council is grateful to the trustees of St James’ Chapel for facilitating this celebration of Commonwealth Day by flying the Commonwealth flag from the flag-pole for the day.

‘This first ceremony was attended by the mayor, town council and ward members and practically supported by Andrew Bourne and Stephen Bolt at the top of the Chapel tower.’

Another flag was raised by the Okehampton Army Cadet Force. The flag ceremony was going to take place at Yes Tor, as the highest flag pole in southern Britain, however it was decided by authorities that flying the flag at that location might confuse the public on the moor who might have thought it was a live-fire warning. 

The flag was instead raised at the highest part of the training camp by members of Okehampton Army Cadet Force and attended by Col Fulford, Col Urquhart, Lt Col Ley, Lt Harrow and Maj Pritchard — who read the Commonwealth citation.

Cllr Paul Vachon, who also spoke at the ceremony, said: ‘With us today, 52 countries across the world, and 2.4 billion people will be celebrating Commonwealth Day. Of those 2.4 billion citizens of the Commonwealth, 60% are under the age of 30.

‘We look to these young people to champion and promote human rights and gender equality, and build a stable, secure and prosperous society for all communities. Most importantly we empower them to spread the message of peace, and make the world a fairer place for all.’

This is the first time in the history of the Commonwealth that young members of the Army cadet forces from the UK took flags to some of the highest peaks across the country.

Many other organisations took part in this celebration of the Commonwealth, not only in this country, but internationally, each country raising the flag at 10am in its own time zone.

Bruno Peek, originator and pageant master for Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth, said: ‘I am amazed how quickly this event has caught the public imagination in the UK and around the Commonwealth.

‘We are only in our third year, and the involvement of the Army cadet force this year, along with the participation of so many people of all ages and from all walks of life, shows the enormous potential of this project and of the Commonwealth.

‘It is a positive and uplifting way for people to link with and assist fellow citizens of the Commonwealth in a family that spans across oceans and continents. There is a real sense of promise, and hope for the future in this current troubled world of ours.’

The secretary general of the Commonwealth, Patricia Scotland, commented: ‘At a time of increasing instability and uncertainty in the world, the Commonwealth family of nations in its rich diversity becomes an ever more-needed source of strength and hope for all its members.

‘A peace-building Commonwealth is a natural follow-on from our previous theme, an inclusive Common-wealth. It reaffirms the Commonwealth Charter principle that international peace and security, sustainable economic growth and development and the rule of law are essential to the progress and prosperity of all.’