Chester receives "European Flag of Honour" Award

On Sunday, 26^th September 2004, Chester received the prestigious Council of Europe, "European Flag of Honour" award from the hands of one of the Council's Deputies, Mr Antonio Nazare Pereira from Portugal.

To allow the award to be made in front of as many people as possible, the ceremony was combined with the finish of the Walled Towns Friendship Circle, 5 Towns Link, Historic car rally in front of Town Hall

Mr Pereira travelled the last leg of the rally, which started in Beaumaris, Anglesey, in a 1936 Bentley Sport owned by Chris Lunt of Neston. Mr Pereira was then able to formally present the Flag to Lord Mayor Councillor Terry Ralph.

The Flag has been awarded to Chester in recognition for its work in Europe over many years, particularly with its unique four way partnership with its twin town partners Sens in France, Senigallia in Italy and Lörrach in Germany and it work with the international Walled Towns Friendship Circle. Chester also works closely with a variety of  European partners to attract many millions of pounds of investment  into the City and District.

Mr Pereira said "It is a pleasure to be in Chester for the first time and see what a beautiful city you have and to formally recognise and thank Chester for its work in promoting co-operation and understanding between the peoples of Europe." 

The "Flag of Honour" award is the second in a series of four awards presented by the Council of Europe to communities who work for the promotion of  European co-operation. In recognition of Chester's excellent record in this work, the Council of Europe decided to go straight to the second award, leapfrogging over the preliminary award.

Chris Lines, Chester's International Links Manager said " This is very welcome recognition from outside the Council to the work that it is doing with communities across Europe, for the benefit of the people of Chester and we will now go on with our work and maybe qualify for further recognition from the Council of Europe in the future"