Children and civic leaders join together Commonwealth Day is marked

More than 850 Commonwealth flags were raised in locations throughout the country, as well as UK overseas territories and Commonwealth countries.

The Mayor of Hartlepool, Coun Mary Fleet, Mayoress Coun Sheila Griffin, Deputy Mayor Coun Kevin Cranney and Sally Robinson, the Council’s director of child and adult services, were all present for the Commonwealth flag raising ceremony at the town’s Christ Church, Church Square.

Pupils from the town’s Ward Jackson and Kingsley primary schools were also in attendance and sang songs outside Christ Church to mark the celebratory event.

The Mayor of Hartlepool, Coun Mary Fleet, said: “As a member-country of the Commonwealth, it is an honour to join with many others around the world in flying the flag on Commonwealth Day.

“The day represents a collective public expression of commitment to the Commonwealth, enabling participants to their show appreciation for the values the Commonwealth upholds.”

Bruno Peek LVO OBE OPR, who is the originator and pageantmaster of ‘Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth’, said: “I am amazed how quickly this event has caught the public imagination in so many Commonwealth countries.

“It is a positive and uplifting way for people to link with 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.”