DOZENS of people joined the Mayor of Thurrock and Leader of the Council outside the Civic Offices in Grays on Monday (13 March) to celebrate Commonwealth Day.
The mayor, Cllr Cathy Kent, read out a message from the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC, Secretary General of the Commonwealth Nations, and said: “Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth provides a splendid opportunity every year for people from all walks of life to join with others in their local community to celebrate Commonwealth Day.”
She added that local flag-raising ceremonies were taking place across the country and the 52 nations of the Commonwealth, and said: “I send my best wishes to all involved, saluting you and wishing you well as you raise both the Commonwealth flag and awareness of all that we achieve together through Commonwealth co-operation.”
Leader of the Council, Cllr Rob Gledhill, read out the affirmation, saying: “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.”
He also referred to Thurrock’s civic motto – By Thames to all people of the world – highlighting its appropriateness to the day’s events.
The Rev Canon Brian O’Shea had opened the ceremony with a prayer.
