Redbridge played a part in making history as it raised a flag for the Commonwealth today.
For the first time ever 500 Commonwealth flags were raised throughout the United Kingdon, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man at 10am to mark Commonwealth Day.
A specially written Commonwealth affirmation was read out at the ceremony which took place at Redbridge Town Hall, High Road, Ilford.
Redbridge Mayor Cllr Felicity Banks, Redbridge Council leader Cllr Keith Prince, his wife Tayo Prince, Ilford South MP Mike Gapes and councillors were there to mark the occasion.
Mrs Prince is Yoruba, an ethnic group in Nigeria, and both she and Cllr Prince wore the traditional Yoruba dress.
He said: “There are some blemishes on the history around our empire and how we came to rule but one of the greatest achievements of the Queen is that she has managed to build the Commonwealth.
“Generally speaking it is an incredibly large number of countries and it’s nice we have now been able to keep all these ties we have on a friendly basis and can look to each other in times of real trouble.”
Commonwealth Day celebrates the countries of the Commonwealth.
Kamalesh Sharma, the secretary-general of the Commonwealth, said: “Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth is a most imaginative way for people in local communities – wherever they live, learn or work – to join together with others throughout the Commonwealth in a spirit of respect and understanding to celebrate the variety and unmatched diversity of our global family. I welcome and commend it.”
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