Flags raised at Weighbridge mast for Commonwealth Day
The 56 countries of the Commonwealth were celebrated yesterday morning as a ceremony to mark Commonwealth Day was held at the Weighbridge Roundabout.
The flag of each nation has been raised on the 32-metre mast in the middle of the roundabout, along with the Commonwealth flag itself.
About 30 people attended the ceremony, including Deputy Bailiff Jessica Roland, members of the Guernsey branch of the Royal Commonwealth Society, representatives from other Commonwealth nations, and Guernsey Sea Cadets, who were responsible for raising the flags.
A particular emphasis was put on Bangladesh – the Commonwealth’s fourth-most populated member country – at the ceremony, and the local Bangladeshi community’s contribution to Guernsey was recognised at a themed breakfast at Dhaka restaurant later in the morning.
Dhaka supervisor Mamun Ahmed was chosen as the local Bangladeshi representative for the ceremony, and said the occasion had made him feel very proud.
‘I was asked if I wanted to by the Commonwealth Society and my boss said I should do it,’ he said.
‘It’s made me very happy, I’m always involved in the Bangladeshi community over here.’
He added that the number of Bangladeshi people living in Guernsey was growing.
‘It’s very nice to be able to do something like this for us and for other countries, especially with the breakfast afterwards.
‘It’s what the day is all about, being caring and welcoming towards everyone.’
Kenya was another country represented at the ceremony, and local Kenyan community leader Cathy Wanyoike said that the event was a good way to raise awareness of the country’s presence on-island.
‘There are about 300 Kenyans working over here in various sectors, including finance, hospitality and construction.
‘I’ve personally been here for eight years.’
She added that the day was widely celebrated back in Kenya, and that she was proud to have been asked to represent her country.
‘It’s about showing that togetherness and friendliness. I don’t think Kenya has been represented in Guernsey in such a way before.
‘It’s nice to be part of such a global event, it’s definitely a wow moment for me.’
