A special flag will be raised at Fenland Hall in March next Monday as part of a global celebration of Commonwealth Day.

Cambs Times: Fly a Flag for the CommonwealthFly a Flag for the Commonwealth (Image: Archant)

It will be one of hundreds of ceremonies being staged in 38 Commonwealth countries.

A specially written Commonwealth Affirmation and messages from the Queen and the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth will be read out before the raising of the flag at 10am.

The ceremony will be hosted by Fenland District Council’s chairman, Councillor Ken Mayor.

Freddie Grounds, deputy lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, will attend along with representatives from the district council and town and parish councils and other local dignitaries.

Cllr Mayor said: “The Commonwealth is a family of nations, which stands for tolerance, understanding and respect for all people.

“We’re proud to be joining with thousands of other people across Britain and the world in celebrating those values, along with many other local authorities.”

The raising of the flag will be followed by another ceremony in the council chamber, the latest event marking the centenary of the First World War.

It will feature the lighting and extinguishing of four candles – a gesture reflecting the famous words of Sir Edward Grey on the eve of the outbreak of the war in 1914: “The lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime.”