ON Monday of this week, it was Commonwealth Day. Alongside 730 areas across the Commonwealth, we raised the special flag at the municipal buildings at Greenock Town Hall.

You may ask yourself why we are doing this at this time in our history. It’s a good question and maybe I can try to answer it.

Last year Glasgow staged the Commonwealth Games and like so many other local authorities, Inverclyde adopted three teams – Mauritius, Dominica and the tiny South Pacific Island of Niue.

On meeting the teams I could not help but notice the very real feeling of friendship and warmth.

It was something I have heard about but could not explain it. It was, for me, very real and perhaps unique to the Commonwealth.

The day after the games finished I attended, on your behalf, a service of remembrance in Glasgow Abbey.

It was attended by all the heads of state or representatives, in the presence of the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall who were both representing the Queen.

This was the start of the four years of remembrance of the start of the First World War.

At the ceremony, it was very noticeable the very real sense of loss being felt by everyone attending and of the sacrifice made by so many members of this very special institution.

For me, it was another example of this very special relationship.

I for one do think this is a very special and unique relationship and even in today’s world, it is one worth celebrating.

Tonight I will be holding a civic reception for the Moderator of the Church Of Scotland, the Right Reverend John Chalmers.

He will end his visit to Inverclyde on Sunday 15 March with a service at Wellpark Mid Kirk at 7pm.

I hope many of you will join me in thanking the Moderator for taking time out of his very busy schedule to visit Inverclyde.