The Mayor of Darlington, Councillor Helen Crumbie, will raise the Red Ensign — the official flag of the Merchant Navy — outside Darlington Town Hall at 10am on Thursday 3 September. The ceremony marks Merchant Navy Day and members of the public are invited to attend.
The annual event recognises the role of merchant seafarers, past, present, and future. Following a short introduction from the mayor, speakers will include Darlington Borough Council's Armed Forces Champion Councillor Jan Cossins, Captain Russell Carnelley representing the Merchant Navy, and the Mayor's Chaplain Reverend John Elliston.
National campaign
Merchant Navy Day was first commemorated in 2000. The national Fly the Red Ensign campaign, launched in 2015, aims to raise awareness of the Merchant Navy's significance and encourage communities across the UK to show their support. Darlington Borough Council is taking part in the campaign.
