Bailiff steps in to raise flag to mark Commonwealth Day

The Bailiff, Sir Richard Collas, gave a short address at 8am yesterday and spoke about the role the Commonwealth plays in bringing its member nations together.

‘It was an honour to do it in his [Lt-Governor Vice-Admiral Sir Ian Corder] place,’ he said. ‘The forecast winds are too strong to raise all of the Commonwealth flags on the lower halyards, so they will go up later in the week.’

Sir Richard will be heading to Gold Coast for this year’s Commonwealth Games in Australia.

‘I am looking forward to going over and supporting our Guernsey sports people,’ he said.

Garry Collins, the chef de mission for Guernsey’s Commonwealth Games team, attended the flag-raising.

He said everything was on track and that excitement was starting to build among the camp.

‘It is going very well. We head out next Wednesday and I am delighted with the progress we have made,’ he said.

‘Everything is in place, as it should be at this stage. We had a great get-together last week where we were handed out the kit and we have the Bailiff’s reception to come, which is always a great send-off.’

Guernsey’s 33 athletes will be joined by 20 officials at the Games, which starts on 4 April.

The Queen, who is head of the Commonwealth, said in her annual message that the 53 nations were stronger together.

‘Through exchanging ideas and seeing life from other perspectives, we grow in understanding and work more collaboratively towards a common future,’ she said.

‘Shared inheritances help us overcome differences so that diversity is a cause for celebration rather than division.’