Commonwealth Day celebrations across Dorset
Ceremonies are taking place across the county today
Last updated 14th Mar 2022
Commonwealth soldiers, dignitaries and Dorset school children are coming together to mark Commonwealth day.
Dorset Council and Weymouth Town Council are both holding ceremonies today.
Commonwealth Day is an annual celebration observed by people all over the Commonwealth in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Americas, the Pacific and Europe.
This year the celebration takes on a special meaning in celebration of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee year.
In Weymouth a ceremony is taking place outside the Weymouth Town Council offices at 10.15am.
The Affirmation, which is usually part of the traditional ceremony, pledges to uphold and serve the values and fellowship of the Commonwealth and can be viewed on the Commonwealth Day website.
The Commonwealth is a voice for small and vulnerable states, and a champion for young people. Home to 2.5 billion citizens across both developing and advanced economies, the Commonwealth is 54 countries working together for prosperity, democracy and peace.
Councillor Pothecary said:
“At this time of acute sorrow and distress over events taking place in Ukraine, we are even more grateful for the wonderful success of the Commonwealth nations in forging peaceful relations and in their determination to maintain democracy and prosperity. The 54 countries – united in friendship and respect for one another, are a true exemplar of how nations can come together and aspire to change our world for the better.”
Cllr Colin Huckle, Mayor of Weymouth said: “On 14th March 2022, the 54 independent countries of the Commonwealth will come together to celebrate Commonwealth Day. It is an opportunity for people, cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth to promote the Commonwealth’s shared values of peace, democracy and equality.
“After not being able to undertake Weymouth’s annual ceremony in 2021 due to coronavirus restrictions, I very much look forward to being able to mark the occasion this year with members of the community.”
Commonwealth Day 2022 will centre around the theme for the forthcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting – 'Delivering a Common Future' – which highlights how the 54 member countries in the Commonwealth family are ‘innovating, connecting and transforming’ to help achieve goals like fighting climate change, promoting good governance and boosting trade.