The flag of each nation will be raised on the 32-metre mast in the middle of the roundabout to commemorate Commonwealth Day. This year there is a special recognition of the island’s South African community, which is estimated to be 6,000 strong. The annual event takes place on Monday morning, with the flag-raising at 8am.
Guernsey Sea Cadets will have already raised 54 flags of Commonwealth member countries and the ceremony will finish with the raising of the Guernsey and South African flags, followed by the Commonwealth flag itself.
Guernsey Royal Commonwealth Society president Darren Vogel said he wanted to invite people from all Commonwealth countries living locally to participate.
‘This year we are celebrating the South African community who make such a terrific contribution to our island,’ he said.
‘We would love people to join us and I encourage anyone from across the commonwealth, be that from Guernsey the UK or further afield to come down. They can also join us for breakfast – a South African, Bangladesh and English fusion – at Dhaka, such a fabulous Commonwealth country restaurant, right on our doorstep.’
And in our changing world Mr Vogel said the Commonwealth was more relevant than ever in a changing world.
‘Post-Brexit, Guernsey being in the Commonwealth has made it much easier for vital workers from places such as South Africa to come here and for us to visit there,’ he said.
‘Being part of the Commonwealth is all about the good stuff – education and co-operation. It is more important than ever that the principles of the Commonwealth are promoted.’
There will be a further celebration of everything South African on Saturday 14 March from 7pm until 10.30pm at the newly reopened Duke Hotel, with food and wine, especially chosen by the hotel’s South African staff, in the company of the Lt-Governor Sir Richard Cripwell.
n For more information on attending the breakfast on 9 March or evening event on 14 March please email hello@rcs.org.gg or visit www.bit.ly/3OS2u5E
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