Row over flying of Union Jack in Gamston

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Tuesday, November 08, 2011
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PARISH councillors will meet next week to try and resolve a row over whether the Union Jack should be flown full-time in a Notts village.

The flagpole was put up in Gamston in April this year, to coincide with the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

The flag remained in place following the wedding, but at a  meeting in September the Gamston and Holme Pierrepont Parish Council voted to only fly the flag on 'flag flying days'. These include the Queen's birthday, Coronation Day and Remembrance Day.

But some councillors and residents believe the flag should be flown all year round.

Tim Kaye, who has lived in Gamston for more than 15 years, said he couldn't understand why the flag couldn't be flown all the time.

He said: "I'm appalled – I don't see why anyone would object to having the flag flown all year round. People have died for the right to fly the flag and I find it hard to understand why the council only decided to fly it on certain days.

"If anyone tried to do something similar in the United States, they wouldn't get very far – they are rightly proud of their flag, so why aren't we?"

Mr Kaye said a petition was being compiled in the village in an attempt to make the council change its mind.

Diane Kidger, chair of the parish council, said the council had received a number of e-mails about the matter, and had felt that flying the flag all the time would make it lose its significance - so it was decided to only fly it on certain days of the calendar.

A decision on whether to fly the flag all the time will now be taken at the next meeting of the parish council on Monday.

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44 Comments

  • Profile image for lolitapapilio

    by lolitapapilio

    Sunday, November 20 2011, 12:32AM

    “After seeing the interview with Roger Henry, based on the Union Jack flag being flown everyday in Gamston Village, I feel it is necessary to mention the following. Mr Henry feels that the flag is intimidating and makes him fearful yet I would like to beg to differ. Mr Henry has a repetition of being rather aggressive and I feel that nothing would be able to make him feel intimidated. He even stood up to the police whilst they arrested him for domestic violence. Also I feel the need to mention that Mr Henry has a very selfish attitude and is a recovering drug abuser. He was highly addicted to Crack Cocaine and Cannabis which inflicted a lot of disruptance.
    As being apart of the community I don't think the flag has been high jacked by the BMP, I feel Mr Henry has high jacked the opportunity of becoming recognised by the press. I disagree with the majority of what Mr Henry said and I highly object to him being considered to becoming part of the Parish Council as he cannot commit to any of his current responsibilities. This is a major issue that I think should be seriously considered as I am not the only one that is aware of Mr Henry's past.
    If we had known the Union Jack flag would have caused Mr Henry so much discomfort and fearfulness, I would have advised my friend to place the flag in front of her door before he started smashing it in to gain access.
    Mr Henry claims to be a "Cohesion Mentor for young people and a Diversity Officer of Lincoln Univeristy" The pay must be poor considering he claims Job seeker's allowance. The job seekers payment must have risen seeing as he drives a nice car and lives in Gamston Village. From what I know, Job seekers wouldnt even pay for the petrol in his car, never mind his living expenses. I wonder what his sponsers think their money is being spent on. Think its about time to inspect!!!!!”

  • Profile image for wiseupnotts1

    by wiseupnotts1

    Thursday, November 17 2011, 5:27PM

    “Perhaps the so called 'patriots' should have petitioned to stop far right groups from draping themselves and their campaign propagander with Union Jack symbols in the first place, therefore keeping 'Country pride' and radical ideals seperate issues, but no, you did nothing........
    The soldiers in the 1st and 2nd world war were fighting for a country that prided itself on it's freedom of speech, do those making anti-immigration comments agree with this sentiment only if the opinions being aired agree with their own?
    ****Grow up*****
    The Union Jack represents ALL people of Britain including those marginalised from Society.”

  • Profile image for BLawrenson

    by BLawrenson

    Monday, November 14 2011, 11:15PM

    “I do wish that the people in Gamston realized that the Union Flag is meant to be lowered at sunset and not left flying overnight. If you are going to fly a flag do it properly.”

  • Profile image for naughty61

    by naughty61

    Monday, November 14 2011, 8:49PM

    “so the complaints were led by Paula O'Brien, a "Diversity Lecturer" at Lincoln University. She said the national flag isnt diverse as the community had immigrant people from other places Shes another of these 'do gooders'. Her partner, wierdly, is an AFRICAN IMMIGRANT! and he said it was all wrong to fly it as it made him think they lived near the extremist National Front Headquarters. we now have a 'community cohesion' mentor (as stated in the more recent post of this report), that DOESNT EVEN LIVE IN GAMSTON, he just visits regularly, telling us what the hell to do. (both the lecturer and 'mentor' blatently dont have enough to do in their pointless job roles)

    What the hell are we coming to when we are lectured NOT to fly our flag in OUR OWN COUNTRY as it upsets incomers/immigrants...FUNNY, theyre quick to accept OUR tax payers money for benefits, OUR houses, OUR healthcare, and OUR educational system. OHHHHH yes!!!!! Funny that! At this rate we will be strangers in our own land. If immigrants dont like it they know where the hell to go! Stories like this only makes us have more respect for the BNP”

  • Profile image for oldref

    by oldref

    Monday, November 14 2011, 7:10PM

    “If they do not like the flag or any flag that belongs this country, they have the right to leave this country and not come back......Most do not like anything British yet still stand inline to get thier hands on benefits while rubbishing the country with every breath..”

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