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FLY A FLAG FOR THE COMMONWEALTH – 11TH MARCH 2019

Silloth-on-Solway will be participating in this years’ ‘Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth’ which will be our fifth year of taking part.  On Monday 11 March 2019, a Commonwealth Flag will be raised on Silloth Green, at the Community Garden, opposite the Golf Hotel on Criffel Street, Silloth.  The ceremony will start at 9.45am.  Everyone is welcome to attend.

Lord Mayors and Mayors, Lord Provosts, town and parish councils, local authorities and local communities, school children and college students, members of Girlguiding and the Scouts from around the UK and Commonwealth, Sea and Air Cadets, charities and community groups, Commonwealth Ex-Servicemen and training ships crewed by disabled crewman people, and many others around the world will raise more than ONE THOUSAND Commonwealth flags at 10.00hrs local time on Monday 11 March – Commonwealth Day 2019, in a shared celebration of this amazing family of nations that encompasses the globe.

The Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth initiative, now in its 5th year, is again catching the imagination of thousands of participants from all walks of life, inspiring them to join with others throughout the Commonwealth. As a collective public expression of commitment to the Commonwealth, it enables participants to show appreciation for the values the Commonwealth upholds, and the opportunities offered for friendship and cooperation with fellow Commonwealth citizens of all ages around the world.

Scouts in The Bahamas, Belize, Grenada, Jamaica, Malaysia, Maldives, Republic of Malta, Mauritius, New Zealand, Samoa, Sri Lanka, and Trinidad and Tobago will also be raising the Commonwealth flag at 10.00hrs local time on 11 March, joining thousands of other young people around the world in committing themselves to the values of the Commonwealth Charter and the 2019 Commonwealth theme: ‘A Connected Commonwealth’.  This year’s theme explores how the Commonwealth can address global challenges and work to create a better future for all citizens based on foundations of sustainability, safety, prosperity and fairness, in accordance with the priorities of the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting held in London.

At each ceremony, before the raising of the Commonwealth flag at 10.00hrs, messages from Her Majesty The Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, and the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC,Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations, will be read, followed by a Commonwealth Affirmation. This common act of witness renews the commitment of people in Commonwealth countries to work together inclusively and in a spirit of goodwill towards democracy and development in which all can share.

Bruno Peek LVO OBE OPR – Originator and Commonwealth Pageantmaster, of ‘Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth’, said: “I am amazed how quickly this event has caught the public imagination in the UK and around the Commonwealth. We are only in our fifth year, and the participation of so many people of all ages and from all walks of life shows the enormous potential of this project and of the Commonwealth. It is a positive and uplifting way for people to link with and assist 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.

The Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations, The Right Honourable Patricia Scotland QC, said: “Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth has swiftly become well-established as an imaginative annual demonstration of Commonwealth connection. It 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 in association with fellow citizens throughout our worldwide family.

“Together we number over 2.4 billion people, a third of the world’s population. Each of us has something very special to offer, and as Commonwealth citizens we gain and draw benefit from vast interconnected networks of mutual support and collaboration.

“Our 2019 is ‘A Connected Commonwealth’, and it has particular significance as we mark the 70th anniversary of the 1949 London Declaration which brought into being the Commonwealth we know today –a family of nations ‘freely co-operating in the pursuit of peace, liberty and progress’”

-ENDS –

NOTE TO EDITORS

Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth

Bruno Peek LVO OBE OPR – Commonwealth Pageantmaster

Tel: + 44 (0) 7737 262 913 – Email: brunopeek@mac.com

MAKE A CHANGE, BECOME A LOCAL COUNCILLOR

Silloth-on-Solway Town Council is calling on residents, passionate about their community to stand in the local elections in 2019.

What do councillors do?

Councillors are the champions of their community and give residents a voice on the decisions the council makes.  Becoming a councillor will allow you to make a real difference in your community by engaging with residents, local groups and businesses to find out their needs; making decisions on which services and projects the council should take forward; and getting involved locally to ensure the services are meeting your community’s needs.

How long does it take?

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) Local Councillor Census Survey found that councillors put aside, on average, three hours a week for council work. This often includes attending meetings, engaging with residents and speaking on behalf of the council to other bodies.

Can I stand?

There are only a few rules to stand for election. You must be:

• A British citizen, or a citizen of the Commonwealth, or the European Union
• 18 years of age or older
• Live in an area that is served by a local council

How can I get involved?

Contact Wendy Jameson, Town Clerk at townclerk@silloth-on-solway.co.uk to find out more or visit www.nalc.gov.uk/elections

My dog is friendly…..

Silloth Civic Service 2018

It is a tradition that the Mayor of Silloth-on-Solway has a Civic Service at Christ Church, Silloth.  Overlooking Silloth Green, the church is a significant landmark and is an important part of the community it serves.

On Sunday 14 October 2018, Councillor Tony Markley, Mayor of Silloth held his Civic Service at 11.00am, with guests arriving from 10.45am.  Guests included mayors from neighbouring local authorities and towns, civic dignitaries and representatives from groups and organisations in the town.

The service was led by the Canon Bryan Rothwell, Team Rector of the Solway Plain Team Ministry.  Councillor Markley welcomed everyone to Silloth and reminded everyone that the “sun always shines on the righteous” which was particularly apt on what was a beautiful sunny day.  There were readings by Sue Hayman MP and Councillor Tony Markley.  The Silloth Male Voice Choir also sang during the service who were excellent.  Refreshments after the service were provided by the ladies from the church and enjoyed by all.

Cllr. Markley said “After speaking to everyone afterwards, everyone thought the service was excellent.  My thanks to everyone involved.”

New Children’s Play Area on Silloth Green

On Tuesday 16 October 2018, the new children’s play area on Silloth Green was officially opened, with Alan Smith, (Leader of Allerdale Borough Council), John Crouch (Mayor of Allerdale), Tony Markley (Mayor of Silloth), Bill Jefferson (Allerdale & Town Councillor), Anthony Reid (Chair of Friends of Silloth Green & Town Councillor) and various local residents, visitors and children in attendance.

Councillor Anthony Reid said “Being one of the founding reasons for me joining Silloth Town Council, after talking with numerous members of both the community and visitors to Silloth, I decided I would set in motion the foundations for building a toddler play area located near the splash park, as I believed this was one amenity the town was, in need of.  Spurred on by the extremely positive backing of both the Town Council and residents alike, myself with a lot of help from Town Clerk Wendy Jameson carried out plenty of research, and plans were drawn up for the fantastic design we now have.  I am extremely pleased with the final outcome and even more so, after seeing the young children braving the adverse weather to play on the new Play area today.  I can’t thank enough the residents of the town for their ongoing support and patience during the process, as well as all those involved.  I would especially like to extend my gratitude to both Councillors Bill Jefferson and Alan Smith for their role in helping propel the project over the final hurdle to the completed asset we now have on the Green which I’m sure will bring much pleasure to both the young children of Silloth and visitors to this beautiful little town.”

The main feature of the new Silloth Green Play Area is the custom-built ship which has been specially designed to offer many inclusive features and is classified as DDA accessible. The open layout of the ship lends itself well to allowing children of all capabilities to join in imaginative games both inside and outside the ship which is vitally important to provide an inclusive play environment for all children. Play activities on the lower and upper deck allows everyone to play together. The manipulative and interactive components like e.g. the binoculars, ships wheels, music and play panels will ensure endless hours of creative and imaginative play which support children’s social/emotional and cognitive/creative development.

The new play area was provided by Kompan UK Ltd, as it was agreed their design was the best option in terms of play value, the quality of the equipment and the guarantee provided.  The project was funded with a Community Grant of £1,000 from Cumbria County Council and £2,000 from Silloth Rotary Club, with funding of £7,000 from the Town Council.  Additional funding of £30,000 was provided by Allerdale Borough Council which was a great bonus and enabled the project to be completed sooner than anticipated.

Councillor Bill Jefferson said “We hope the new play area will become another firm favourite on Silloth Green and provide hours of enjoyment for many years to come. I am delighted with the result and the Pirate Ship is a worthy enhancement to the magic of Silloth Green.”

Funded by: