8 March 2021
The Bristol Commonwealth Society and Commonwealth Scholars, current and past, joined Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant Mrs Peaches Golding OBE CStJ to celebrate Commonwealth Day 2021. Due to social distancing requirements, the usual activities, such as attendance at a Church Service and Flag Raising Ceremony to recognise Commonwealth Day, were foregone. Instead a virtual meeting took place. Participants came from Nigeria, Jamaica, Kenya, Ghana and other countries. Bristol Commonweaelth Society was represented by Chair Dr Kay Barnard and Janet Kirk. Peaches, who is President of the Bristol Commonwealth Society, informed the Scholars of key messages from Her Majesty in this year’s Affirmation. Most important among the messages is that ‘we affirm that every person possesses unique worth and dignity.’ The Affirmation also highlighted our belief in justice, in respecting nature and in the importance of mutual respect and goodwill to all for the good of all. ‘In short,’ Peaches said, ’the Commonwealth is a powerful global force for good and we should pledge ourselves to service now and for the future.'