For the first time ever, all 22 town councils in Norfolk will join with the eight local authorities to raise the Commonwealth flag in unison.
 
On Commonwealth Day 2014, Norfolk was the first county to involve all its local authorities in the event, and this year it will do so again through the participation of all its town councils. This has been made possible by the generous support of Norfolk and Waveney Enterprise Services, which is sponsoring the Commonwealth flags.
 
The event will involve local authorities, civic dignitaries, community groups, charities, youth organisations, Royal Air Force Cadets and shipping companies across the UK, and throughout UK Overseas Territories and Commonwealth countries.
 
A specially written commonwealth affirmation will be read out at each ceremony before the flag is raised, together with the playing of the official anthem of the Commonwealth. It is anticipated that more than 650 flags will be raised around the world. The flag in Reepham will be raised by churchwarden David Cleall.
 
The event will start at 9.45 am in the Market Place and finish once the flag has been raised. The flag will remain in situ for 24 hours and will be lowered at 10 am on Tuesday 10 March.
 
www.flyaflagforthecommonwealth.co.uk
 
The Commonwealth
 
The Commonwealth comprises 53 sovereign states working together in mutual support towards shared goals of democracy, development and respect for diversity. It includes some of the world’s largest, smallest, richest and poorest countries, with two billion citizens drawn from all faiths and ethnicities, half of them under 25 years old.
 
Beyond the ties of history, language and institutions, members are united by values set out in the Charter of the Commonwealth, including tolerance, freedom of expression, respect for human rights, the rule of law, protecting the environment, access to health, education, food and shelter, and gender equality.