THE COMMONWEALTH flag was raised at the Civic Offices yesterday morning in a special ceremony.

Her Majesty The Queen 'broke' the Commonwealth Flag outside the Great West Door of Westminster Abbey, on Commonwealth Day.

It was the last of over 500 Commonwealth Flags raised yesterday by local authorities and community groups throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man in celebration of Commonwealth Day. It was the largest, single raising of this flag in the history of the Commonwealth.

Swindon Council took part in this countrywide event. Mr William John Fishlock, Esquire, DL, Deputy Lieutenant of Wiltshire, represented the Lord Lieutenant at the brief ceremony held at the main steps of the Civic Offices at 9.45 am. The flag was raised on top of the Civic Building at 10am. A message of ‘good wishes’ from Her Majesty The Queen, was read along with the Commonwealth Affirmation.