11 March 2018
The first of two events to mark Commonwealth Day was held on Sunday 11th March at the Lord Mayor's Chapel of St Mark on Park Street. Vice Lord-Lieutenant attended on behalf of HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bristol and was joined by Rt Hon The Lord Mayor of Bristol, Cllr Mrs Lesley Alexander and her consort. The service was officiated by Canon John Rogan. The Vice Lord-Lieutenant read a message from HM The Queen and the scripture lessons were read by two Commonwealth students: Ms Charuni Pathmeswaran (Sri Lanka, pictured on the left) and Ms Nina Pels (Ghana, pictured in the centre). Following the service the Commonwealth party moved to the headquarters of the Bristol Commonwealth Society in Whiteladies Road, where its Chair, Dr Kay Barnard, hosted a reception and luncheon whose guests not only included the ceremonial and civic parties but also many Commonwealth Scholars who are supported by the Society.