So proud to raise the flag of nations
AN APPEAL has been launched to find a missing teenager.
Merseyside police are appealing for information to help trace 16-year-old Sovereign Porter.
She was last seen at home in Southport at about 2pm on Saturday, February 17.
She is described as white, around 5ft 5in, of proportionate build with a fair complexion and straight, shoulder-length red hair.
Anyone with information on her whereabouts is to call 101, or contact the charity, Missing People on 116 000 or email 116000@missing people.org.uk
WEST Lancashire is to raise the Commonwealth Flag later this month.
Armed Forces veterans and local school children will be helping West Lancashire Borough Council raise the flag at a special ceremony on Monday, March 12, to mark Commonwealth Day 2018. Celebrations begin at around 9.40am when West Lancashire’s deputy mayor, Cllr Noel Delaney, and other civic dignitaries, will be joined by veterans and children from Ormskirk C of E School, outside the council offices at 52, Derby Street, Ormskirk.
Messages from the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations will be read out and the deputy mayor will address those present.
A specially-written Commonwealth Affirmation will be read before the flag is raised.
Cllr Delaney said: “I am really proud that West Lancashire will be joining people across the world in raising the Commonwealth Flag, particularly with the 2018 Commonwealth Games due to take place in Australia in April.”
The people of the Commonwealth number almost 2.5 billion, a third of the world’s population.
This year’s event builds on successful events since 2014 and hundreds of other Commonwealth Flags will be raised in locations throughout the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, UK Overseas Territories, and Commonwealth countries.
Scouts in The Bahamas, Belize, Grenada, Jamaica, Malaysia, Maldives, Republic of Malta, Mauritius, New Zealand, Samoa, Sri Lanka, and Trinidad and Tobago will also be raising the flag at 10am local time on March 12, joining thousands of other young people around the world in committing themselves to the values of the Commonwealth Charter and the 2018 Commonwealth theme: “Towards a Common Future”.
This year’s theme explores how the Commonwealth can address global challenges and work to create a better future for all citizens through sub-themes of sustainability, safety, prosperity and fairness, in line with the theme of the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in London.
After the flag is raised, everyone will be invited to the mayor’s room to mark the centenary of the end of WWI.
A two-minute silence will be held and schoolchildren will read WWI nursery rhymes.
Candles will then be lit as a reminder to all who see them, not only of the sacrifices made during the past 100 years through conflicts in which this country has been involved, but also as a symbol of hope that we will work towards understanding between peoples.