Ashfield: Commonwealth flag flying high

Raising of the Commonweath flag at Ashfield District Council.

The district was one of an estimated 500 across the UK to unite in support of the voluntary league of 53 nations that is home to 2.2 billion people.

Flags were raised simultaneously nationwide at 10am on Monday, including at nine councils across Nottinghamshire.

In Ashfield, Col Nigel Cullen OBE, the deputy lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, was given the honour outside the District Council offices.

Raising of the Commonweath flag at Ashfield District Council, pictured is Colonel Nigel Cullen OBE TD DL Deputy Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire.

He was accompanied by chairman of the council, coun Linford Gibbons and the rev Neil Popham of St Thomas’ Church, Kirkby.

A total of 150 schoolchildren from Greenwood, Kingsway and Orchard Schools were in attendance.

A specially written Commonwealth affirmation was read out at each ceremony, prior to the flags being raised.

Charity teams representing Cancer Research UK, Help for Heroes, Walking with the Wounded and Fields of Life also marked the day by taking Commonwealth Flags to the top of the UK’s four highest peaks to raise funds.

The event took on extra significance this year with the 2014 Commonwealth Games set to be held in Glasgow in the summer.

This was the largest, single raising of the Commonwealth Flag in its history,” said coun Gibbons.

“Ashfield is proud to be able to participate in such a truly global event in celebration of the Commonwealth.”

“It is a unique, enduring fellowship emphasised by the fact some countries have joined who were not under British rule and others that could have left have maintained their ties.

“This year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow are an excellent legacy of London 2012 and I expect more success for the home nations.

“It was great to get the local schoolchildren involved as they are the future and I think they really enjoyed it.”