On behalf of Farnham, the Town Mayor, Councillor Pat Evans, marked Commonwealth Day on Monday 8 March by raising the Commonwealth Flag outside the town council offices.

Joined by Colour Sergeant (CSgt) Dean Smith from the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, the Mayor read the Queen’s address and the Town Clerk read the Commonwealth affirmation which pledges to uphold the values and fellowship of the Commonwealth.

The Mayor says: “In previous years local dignitaries, veterans and representatives from the armed forces as well as schoolchildren and members of the public have joined the Mayor of Farnham to celebrate the wonderful and enduring fellowship of the Commonwealth across Africa, Asia, the Americas, the Caribbean, Pacific and Europe.” She continues: “This year’s commemoration is a simpler but no less dignified ceremony. We celebrate the 2021 theme of delivering a common future by highlighting Commonwealth countries’ contributions to innovating, connecting and transforming to achieve a better world.”

Commonwealth Day is held annually to celebrate the people, achievements and community of the 54 countries that make up the Commonwealth. Usually, the day sees celebrations all over the Commonwealth and, in the UK, with a service at Westminster Abbey and social events hosted by the Commonwealth Secretariat in London. For 2021, a series of online events took place with videos and photos shared on social media and HM the Queen’s address broadcast on 7 May (now available on YouTube).