Flying the flag for the Commonwealth Games in East Dunbartonshire

East Dunbartonshire Council joined forces with local authorities and communities across the world to fly the Commonwealth Flag - the largest, single raising of this flag in the history of the Commonwealth.

Provost Una Walker raised the East Dunbartonshire flag - with the help of enthusiastic youngsters - on Monday, March 10, outside the Council’s Marina HQ in Kirkintilloch.

It was one of more than 500 flags raised on Commonwealth Day - at locations including Ben Nevis, Land’s End, Scafell Pike, Mount Snowdon, Slieve Donard, the Shetland Islands, Rothera Research Station on the Antarctic Peninsula, and King Edward Point and Bird Island in South Georgia.

Her Majesty The Queen ‘broke’ the final Commonwealth Flag outside Westminster Abbey at a ceremony attended by Duke of Edinburgh participants from Lenzie Academy.

The Monarch also sent a message to the people of East Dunbartonshire, which was read out by Dunbartonshire’s Lord Lieutenant Michael Gregory.

Guests at the event in Kirkintilloch included the Provost, Lord Lieutenant, council Leader Rhondda Geekie, councillors, Commonwealth Games Youth Legacy

Ambassadors, senior staff from the council and East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture Trust, Clyde-siders and more.

Guests of honour included pupils and staff from primary schools such as St Andrew’s, Holy Family, Killermont, St Flannan’s, Wester Cleddens, St Machan’s, St Helen’s, St Matthew’s and Westerton, as well as Cleddens Learning and Childcare Centre.

There were also Youth Legacy Ambassadors from Boclair Academy, St Ninian’s High and Lenzie Academy.

Council leader Rhondda Geekie congratulated the young people for helping to make history.

She said: “Thanks to everyone who attended and took part in such a wonderful celebration of the Commonwealth and the forthcoming Games.

“This is an ideal chance to celebrate the true value of the Commonwealth as an increasingly multi-cultural world seeks unity, understanding and tolerance.

“Here in East Dunbartonshire we are determined to seize the opportunities offered by the Commonwealth Games - realising a rich Legacy for people of all ages and all backgrounds.

“Our Commonwealth Games Legacy Team have been working hard since last year and there’s a packed programme well underway.”

East Dunbartonshire will be supporting Scotland at the Games, but also our second teams - Jamaica, Norfolk Island and Namibia.

The Queen’s Baton Relay will arrive in East Dunbartonshire on July 19, with the baton being taken through towns, villages and communities.

The route of the Commonwealth Cycling Time Trial includes East Dunbartonshire, with some of the world’s top cyclists expected to travel through Lenzie and Bishopbriggs on July 31.

Creative projects are taking place in schools in Kirkintilloch, Bishopbriggs, Milngavie, Bearsden, Lenzie, Lennoxtown and beyond - with young

people learning about the Commonwealth and the Games, supported by Active Schools

This year’s Kirkintilloch Canal Festival in August will also have a Commonwealth flavour, as will the East Dunbartonshire Get Active Festival in June - featuring three weeks of sporting chances for youngsters.

A special interactive map showing the location of each flag raised is available on www.eastdunbartonshirecouncil.gov.uk - within the Commonwealth

Games section.