Representatives from the District, Town and County Councils were joined by local school children and former England Lawn Bowls player Georgina Dark to mark Commonwealth Day.

Bright spring sunshine shone over Victoria Park for the raising of the Commonwealth Flag and the chance for year 7 and 8 students from Stratford-on-Avon School to take part in a bowling demonstration on the greens that will host the Lawn Bowls and Para Lawn Bowls competitions in July.

The Chairman of Warwick District Council, Councillor Neale Murphy, commented.

"The raising of the Commonwealth flag is an important symbol of the connection we have with the countries of the Commonwealth; we can’t wait to make this a reality when we welcome players and spectators from many of these nations to our district this summer.”

Leader of Warwick District Council, Councillor Andrew Day, said:

"It was great to get together with potential lawn bowls stars of the future to mark this year’s Commonwealth Day. We’re looking forward to an amazing nine days of international competition at this beautiful venue and to making lifelong friendships and memories.”

Cllr Heather Timms, Warwickshire County Council Cabinet Member for Environment, Climate & Culture, said:

"It was so nice to be able to mark Commonwealth Day 2022 with our partners at the District Council and school children from the County. 

"We are very excited that there are little more than five months to go until the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games come to Warwickshire and very proud that our county is hosting three such exciting events in the Cycle Road Race, Lawn Bowls and Para Lawn Bowls. The Games coming to our region is truly a once in a lifetime event and I hope our residents seize every opportunity to get involved with what promises to be an exciting summer of sports."

Georgina Dark, Disability Bowls England Ambassador and former Visually Impaired Bowls Nationals champion, said:

"Even though I’m not participating myself, I’m delighted that the players will get the once in a lifetime opportunity to take part in a Commonwealth Games at the home of lawn bowls in Royal Leamington Spa.”

Ahead of the Games, Warwick District Council is inviting people to share their Commonwealth Connections, with the aim of finding a local link to all 54 countries of the Commonwealth. Amongst those who have taken part are Warwick resident Mary Hargreaves and her granddaughter Emma Boyd who has represented Canada at lawn bowls:

Emma said:

“I was introduced to lawn bowls at the young age of 10 years old in my hometown of Tsawwassen British Columbia by my grandmother Mary Hargreaves. My grandmother was and still is an influential coach and bowler on the Canadian scene, she inspired me to continue my journey with bowls as you can play at any age or any ability. Eleven years later I am living in Australia playing bowls for one of the biggest clubs in the world, Tweed Heads Bowls Club. My grandmother lives in Warwick, England and is still bowling with her sister Margaret. This intergenerational connection is what has made us so close even though we are far apart. I now have a chance to travel to Canada to trial for a spot at the upcoming Commonwealth Games to be held on the beautiful lawn bowls facility in Royal Leamington Spa.”

Commonwealth Connections can be submitted online. Written submissions must less than 500 words, and videos should be no more than 2 minutes long; you can also include photos. Commonwealth Connections do not need to be sports- related and could describe experiences of a holiday, work or education or involvement with a charity or to friends and family living in the Commonwealth.

For further information on the latest preparations for Birmingham 2022 in Warwick District, visit the Warwick District Councils Commonwealth Games website.