VE Day Alan Day and Geoffrey

What does the Commonwealth mean to you?

What is Commonwealth Day?

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, Commonwealth Day fell on Monday 13th March and there was a special service from Westminster Abbey on BBC One at 2pm. The theme for 2022 is “Delivering a Common Future”.
 
 
Commonwealth Day Flags, Lunesdale Hall

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

As this year marks the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee there will be a special focus on the role service plays in the lives of people and communities across the Commonwealth.

Find out more about Jubilee celebrations in Kirkby Lonsdale here.

What does the Commonwealth mean to a local Merchant Navy Veteran?

In reflection of Commonwealth Day last week, local resident Alan Day has written a few words about what the Commonwealth means to him. Alan is aged 96 and a proud Merchant Navy Veteran:

“The Commonwealth of nations is a family of 54 with a population of over 2.4 billion brothers and sisters and I am very proud to be on of them. 

Why? Because of my respect for whoever and wherever they may be.  

I value the entwined values of the Commonwealth Charter, which includes love, peace, democracy, equality, tolerance,
protection of youth and stewardship. These values are followed by the aims of our family to promote good governance and trade as well as protecting climate change.

I absolutely support these honourable aims to help build a better world for all humanity with peace and love.

God bless Her Majesty The Queen, head of our Commonwealth of nations.

We celebrate Commonwealth Day with a selection of five flags from the Commonwealth flying outside Lunesdale Hall. This year we chose Antigua, Brunei, Barbados, Kenya and Seychelles. Next year we will choose five more – do you have a preference?”

Alan Day

Commonwealth Day Alan Day
Commonwealth Day Alan Day, Geoffrey

All photographs captured by Robin Ree.