Flying the flag for Commonwealth Day 2018

On Monday 12th March, the Commonwealth Flag was raised over the roof of Solihull Council House in celebration of Commonwealth Day.

At the ceremony, the Mayor of Solihull, Councillor Stuart Davis, was joined by the High Sheriff of the West Midlands, Dr John Hudson OBE DL and Mrs Hudson, Dame Caroline Spelman MP and other Honorary Aldermen and Councillors.

Local schoolchildren, Rayan Sharif from Dorridge Primary School and Itunu Onalaja from Solihull School, were chosen to give the order for the flag to be raised after they won a borough-wide artwork competition where participants had to design their own take on the Commonwealth Flag.

The pupils were also given a gift card and a certificate for their prize-winning pieces of art.

As part of the ceremony, Dr Hudson read a message from Her Majesty the Queen and the Mayor read out a Commonwealth Affirmation.

The Mayor said: “It is an honour to fly the flag and be involved with this year’s Commonwealth Day, celebrating the diversity, unity and uplifting values that represent the Commonwealth.

“I am pleased that Solihull is involved with this special day every year and that school children can get creative and learn all about the 53 countries that make up our Commonwealth.”

For more information about Commonwealth Day: http://thecommonwealth.org/commonwealthday