Hertsmere raises the Commonwealth flag

11 March 2019, 16:22 | Updated: 11 March 2019, 16:25

Youngsters from a primary school in Bushey have been part of a special annual ceremony in Hertsmere today which is also celebrated around the world.

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Youngsters from a Bushey primary school were on hand to help the Mayor of Hertsmere mark Commonwealth Day today (Monday 11th March) at a flag flying ceremony.

Ellie-Rose McKay, aged nine, from Bournehall Primary School, helped Mayor Councillor Brenda Batten unfurl the Commonwealth and Union flags at a ceremony outside the Civic Offices in Borehamwood.

Ellie-Rose took part in a competition for young people in the borough to answer how many countries there are in the Commonwealth.

The ceremony was attended by Ellie-Rose's classmates, family and teachers, as well as borough councillors and council staff. It was held to mark the borough’s commitment to the Commonwealth and to show appreciation of its values and the opportunities it offers to citizens around the world.

Mayor Councillor Batten said:

"I’m delighted that Ellie-Rose and her classmates were able to join me for this exciting occasion, and I want to thank everyone who took part in our competition.

Our flag is one of a thousand that will be flying today around the world. It’s that thought which brings home that while the Commonwealth is diverse and huge, and encompasses many different communities and lives, its citizens are all connected in some way."

The Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth initiative, now in its fifth year, is a collective public expression of commitment to the Commonwealth.

This year’s Commonwealth Day theme is ‘A Connected Commonwealth’, which offers opportunities for the people, governments and institutions of this richly diverse family of nations to connect and work together through far-reaching and deep-rooted networks of friendship and goodwill.

Oh... and the answer... The Commonwealth is made up of 53 sovereign states!