Since it’s 2012, the community at Allanton House is keen to celebrate the Olympics through our annual Flag Ceremony for world peace, which will take place on Saturday 23 June.

We’ve been inspired by the Olympic Torch, which will be passing through Dumfries just two days before this, on Thursday 21^st June.  And also, 2012 is the UN International Year of Cooperatives, marking the value of what people can achieve equitably and together.

We aim to make 2012’s Flag Ceremony a statement about collaboration, accessibility and inclusion, right here in south west Scotland.

During the Flag Ceremony each of the world’s flags is presented as a symbol to inspire World Peace, with the words ‘May Peace Prevail on Earth’.  We’re developing ideas to link this with our ‘Cooperative Olympics’ – which might see the creation of our own Olympic Torch (made from willow?) which could be passed in a relay of people of all ages, sizes and abilities to create a circle of cooperation to enfold our Flag Ceremony.

We will send our wishes of peace and happiness to all the countries of the world.

However, there’s a lot of work to do before then, so watch this space.  But save the date – Saturday 23 June – and come and join in!