Commonwealth flags to be flown

Unst is to play its part in the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow by flying the Commonwealth flag on Monday.

The flag will be hoisted at Unst Leisure Centre by two pupils of Baltasound Junior High School, Joe Niven and Bryden Priest, as part of their Sports Ambassadors programme – where young people are charged with promoting sport and fitness for their peers.

There will also be a short ceremony at the community event at 10am.

Community councillor Gordon Thomson will read out the Commonwealth Affirmation and a message from the Queen.

Monday also marks “Sport Your Trainers Day” – where children at the school are being asked to pull on their trainers and take part in various sporting events on a Commonwealth Games theme. These include gymnastics, curling, bowls cycling and squash.

In Lerwick, Shetland Islands Council will also be taking part in the flag flying ceremony  – flying the flag from the town hall at 10am.

Councillor Cecil Smith, who will be raising the flag, will also read a message of “good wishes” from the Queen, along with the Commonwealth Affirmation.

He said: “I’m delighted to be able to represent Shetland Islands Council taking part in this unique event. It’s a real honour to ‘Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth’ and celebrate Commonwealth Day with the rest of the UK in this way.”

Later on Monday the Queen will “break” the Commonwealth flag outside of Westminster Abbey.

More than 500 flags will be raised by local authorities and community groups throughout the UK, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

It will be the largest, single raising of the flag in the history of the Commonwealth.

Charity teams will mark the day by taking flags to the top of the UK’s four highest national peaks, using the occasion to raise funds and profile for their worthy causes: Cancer Research UK – Scafell Pike, England; Help for Heroes – Ben Nevis, Scotland; Walking with the Wounded – Mount Snowdon, Wales; and Fields of Life – Slieve Donard, Northern Ireland.