Dignitaries, schoolchildren and members of the armed forces watched on as St Albans played its part in a nationwide flag-raising event to mark Commonwealth Day.
The Commonwealth flag was hoisted above the Town Hall on Monday morning – one of 500 flags which were raised at the same time across the country.
Mayor of St Albans Cllr Annie Brewster led the special ceremony in St Peter’s Street by reading out the Commonwealth Affirmation which sets out a commitment to uphold the values of the Commonwealth.
Representatives from the 100 Yeomanry Regiment Royal Artillery, St Albans Sea Cadets, St Albans Air Cadets and St Albans Venture Scouts were also in attendance, as well as children from local primary and secondary schools who presented minature flags of the 53 Commonwealth countries.
Cllr Brewster said: “I am very grateful to everyone who helped St Albans play its part in this largest, single raising of the Commonwealth flag in the history of the Commonwealth.
“Seeing these 53 flags united together by children from all across our district gives us a sense of the magnitude of the Commonwealth family of nations.”
The event also marked the run up to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow later this year.
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