South Ayrshire Commonwealth Day, - Monday 11th March 2019

Deputy Lieutenant David Dickson, pictured above with the Provost of South Ayrshire, Cllr Helen Moonie and Cllr Douglas Campbell, represented the Lord-Lieutenant at a ceremony, on a wet and windy 11th March 2019, to mark Commonwealth Day 2019.  During the ceremony the Commonwealth Flag was raised at the town's St Germain-en-Laye Gardens in Ayr, and Mr Dickson read out a message from Her Majesty The Queen.
A number of local civic dignitaries attended as well as the Consul General of India and the Consul of New Zealand.
A new theme is chosen annually for Commonwealth Day, and as a focus for activities undertaken during the ensuing year led by the Governments of Commonwealth member states and by Commonwealth organisations.
Themes are agreed in consultation with representatives of Commonwealth civil society and presented for approval by Her Majesty The Queen, Head of the Commonwealth. The theme chosen for 2019 was 'A Connected Commonwealth'.
2019 marks the 70th anniversary of the modern Commonwealth, and the theme speaks of the enduring practical value and global engagement made possible as a result of the determination of our culturally diverse and widely dispersed family of nations to cooperate and work together in friendship and goodwill.