IVYBRIDGE celebrated Commonwealth Day with the raising of a flag at Harry’s Patch.

The event was organised by the town council with support from the Ivybridge branch of the Royal British Legion to mark the day on Monday, March 14.

Gathering at 10am, local councillors alongside schoolchildren and representatives of the town’s emergency services and other groups watched on as first Mayor of Ivybridge David Gray-Taylor, and then town clerk Lesley Hughes gave readings: a personal message from the secretary-general of the Commonwealth, and a specially written Commonwealth Affirmation respectively.

The president of Ivybridge RBL David Davis hoisted the Commonwealth flag, while standard bearer Mick Knight flew the legion’s colours.

Harry’s Patch was named after the last surviving foot soldier of the First World War, Harry Patch. It was created next to the roundabout between Leonards Road and Marjorie Kelly Way in 2014, when poppies were grown and planted at the site to mark the anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War.