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Outcry as flag is taken down
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| IGHT GOES ON: Mick Davonport who started the campaign for the flag to fly daily in Calne |
CAMPAIGNERS fighting for the Union Flag to be flown over the town hall in Calne are outraged after it was taken down within 12 hours of being hoisted above the building.
Members of the town branch of the Royal British Legion had thought they had won the battle to force the town council to fly the flag daily after winning a vote at the annual parish meeting on Monday.
They were delighted to see the flag flying on Tuesday, however, it failed to reappear yesterday.
According to town clerk Linda Roberts the vote at the parish AGM, although it does stand, has no sway over decisions already made by the council.
Last year councillors voted by 13 to 2 not to fly the flag, saying it would lose significance if flown daily.
Mrs Roberts said the issue would appear before councillors at the next full council meeting on June 23. It is believed the decision not to fly the flag yesterday followed several private conversations between the clerk and members of the council.
But the move has infuriated RBL chairman and town councillor John Ireland, who tabled the original proposal last year.
He said: "By ignoring the parish vote the town council is denying the will of the electorate.
"As far as I'm concerned this has become political and those who back the flag coming down will have a war on their hands."
RBL social secretary Ellie Bland examined local government law to check that members of the public could bring up and vote on issues at annual parish meetings.
Over the weekend she and other RBL members went around the Abberd and Priestly wards in Calne with a petition to gauge the public mood.
"We were faced with
almost 100 per cent support," she said. "We were knocking on people's doors and they were snatching the petitions out of our hands."
The petition, with 233 signatures, was presented to Monday's meeting and the five electors present voted for the flag to be flown.
Yesterday Mrs Bland condemned the decision to take the flag down. "It is disgusting that it had to come to this," she sad.
However, town councillor Alan Hill said: "If a group of people want to see the flag flown from the town hall, which was contrary to a decision made by the town council previously, then they should pay for it.
"This group claim they have the support from the whole town, I would say to them there are over 8,000 people in Calne."
2:03pm Thursday 17th April 2008
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CommentPosted by: Global Templar, Marlborough on 2:30pm Thu 17 Apr 08
Next council elections anyone who fails to endorse the flag being flown every day should have a campaign to remove them and elect someone who will stand up for our culture and way of life, listen to local voices otherwise stand down and let others run the council and listen to people!
Next council elections anyone who fails to endorse the flag being flown every day should have a campaign to remove them and elect someone who will stand up for our culture and way of life, listen to local voices otherwise stand down and let others run the council and listen to people!
Posted by: spooks, calne on 3:10pm Thu 17 Apr 08
The flag should fly and fly with pride.
Our council have acted apalling in this matter its time for them to leave.
www.calnetalk.com
The flag should fly and fly with pride.
Our council have acted apalling in this matter its time for them to leave.
www.calnetalk.com
Posted by: Harris, Calne on 3:43pm Thu 17 Apr 08
So let me get this straight – the Town Councillors have voted by a majority in favour of flying the flag (I believe only 5 voted against), but because their vote was cast in a Parish AGM it cannot change the decision of their previous vote. What a ridiculous position for the Town Clerk to take!
Not only have the Town Councillors voted by a majority in favour of flying the flag daily, almost 100% of people in Calne who have been asked for an opinion (some 233 so far) have said that they want to fly the flag and show support for our Armed Forces and respect for those who lose their lives.
Tomorrow the bodies of the 2 airmen killed in Afghanistan last Saturday will be repatriated into RAF Lyneham and it is likely that their families and loved one’s will be arriving in Calne today to stay overnight.
To take the flag down on the basis of a supposed technicality on the eve of this repatriation is not just insensitive – [bold]it is downright insulting[/bold] .
So let me get this straight – the Town Councillors have voted by a majority in favour of flying the flag (I believe only 5 voted against), but because their vote was cast in a Parish AGM it cannot change the decision of their previous vote. What a ridiculous position for the Town Clerk to take!
Not only have the Town Councillors voted by a majority in favour of flying the flag daily, almost 100% of people in Calne who have been asked for an opinion (some 233 so far) have said that they want to fly the flag and show support for our Armed Forces and respect for those who lose their lives.
Tomorrow the bodies of the 2 airmen killed in Afghanistan last Saturday will be repatriated into RAF Lyneham and it is likely that their families and loved one’s will be arriving in Calne today to stay overnight.
To take the flag down on the basis of a supposed technicality on the eve of this repatriation is not just insensitive –
it is downright insulting .
Posted by: Yali, UK on 6:24pm Thu 17 Apr 08
The St George flag should be flying at all times.
The St George flag should be flying at all times.
Posted by: who dat? on 7:46pm Thu 17 Apr 08
Maybe you should fly the flag of the Undemocratic Republic of Calne!
Maybe you should fly the flag of the Undemocratic Republic of Calne!
Posted by: Ellie Bland, Calne on 9:32pm Thu 17 Apr 08
I was told by the Town Mayor this afternoon, that the flag will fly tomorrow due to the repatriation. However, I replied that we, the Royal British Legion Members were misled Monday evening, but irrespective of that, the behaviour over the flag issue has been totally intolerable. Human Life is priceless. Tomorrow the bodies of two brave men will be returned, their coffins draped in the Union Flag. Why should the flag only fly for our dead? We have so many brave men and women currently serving in conflicts far away from home and their loved ones. To fly the flag daily is purely to show our support for them and their families. That's it, pure and simple. Not much to ask, and nothing to pay as FOUR flags had already been offered by members of the public.
I was told by the Town Mayor this afternoon, that the flag will fly tomorrow due to the repatriation. However, I replied that we, the Royal British Legion Members were misled Monday evening, but irrespective of that, the behaviour over the flag issue has been totally intolerable. Human Life is priceless. Tomorrow the bodies of two brave men will be returned, their coffins draped in the Union Flag. Why should the flag only fly for our dead? We have so many brave men and women currently serving in conflicts far away from home and their loved ones. To fly the flag daily is purely to show our support for them and their families. That's it, pure and simple. Not much to ask, and nothing to pay as FOUR flags had already been offered by members of the public.
Posted by: Joe, Calne on 10:54pm Thu 17 Apr 08
Clane town council do seem to be making a big issue out of this and why?
What really is their problem in fly a flag?
Clane town council do seem to be making a big issue out of this and why?
What really is their problem in fly a flag?
Posted by: heron, calne on 2:43pm Fri 18 Apr 08
THE flag should fly to show respect for the armed forces,To mark respect for all who have bravely lost their lives fighting for Queen and country.
And also to show respect and support for all those still very bravely risking their lives to-day.
This as nothing to do with politics but everything to do with common decency. [quote][italic]quote[/italic] [bold][italic]bold[/italic] [italic][bold]italic[/bold] [/italic] [/bold] [/quote]
THE flag should fly to show respect for the armed forces,To mark respect for all who have bravely lost their lives fighting for Queen and country.
And also to show respect and support for all those still very bravely risking their lives to-day.
This as nothing to do with politics but everything to do with common decency.
quote bold italic
Posted by: spooks, calne on 4:20pm Fri 18 Apr 08
[quote][bold]heron[/bold] wrote:
THE flag should fly to show respect for the armed forces,To mark respect for all who have bravely lost their lives fighting for Queen and country. And also to show respect and support for all those still very bravely risking their lives to-day. This as nothing to do with politics but everything to do with common decency. [quote][italic]quote[/italic] [bold][italic]bold[/italic] [italic][bold]italic[/bold] [/italic] [/bold] [/quote] [/quote] Exactley.
From what i have heard it the main problem is the guy who propossed it.
The other councillours dont like him very much.
www.calnetalk.com
heron wrote:
THE flag should fly to show respect for the armed forces,To mark respect for all who have bravely lost their lives fighting for Queen and country. And also to show respect and support for all those still very bravely risking their lives to-day. This as nothing to do with politics but everything to do with common decency. quote bold italic
Exactley.
From what i have heard it the main problem is the guy who propossed it.
The other councillours dont like him very much.
www.calnetalk.com
Posted by: John Ireland, Calne Wiltshire on 9:02pm Fri 18 Apr 08
It's a sad indictment of local politics that this issue is clouded by personalities. I know that they do not much care for me and it's reciprocal but I will not stop holding them to account to court their favour.
It's a sad indictment of local politics that this issue is clouded by personalities. I know that they do not much care for me and it's reciprocal but I will not stop holding them to account to court their favour.
Posted by: spooks, calne on 9:13pm Fri 18 Apr 08
[quote][bold]John Ireland[/bold] wrote:
It's a sad indictment of local politics that this issue is clouded by personalities. I know that they do not much care for me and it's reciprocal but I will not stop holding them to account to court their favour. [/quote] it is a sad indictment.
its time the other councils did whats right for the people of calne and put personal issues aside.
At the end of the day councillours are not there to make friend there there to do whats rights for calne.
Putting the flag up is right for calne.
www.calnetalk.com
John Ireland wrote:
It's a sad indictment of local politics that this issue is clouded by personalities. I know that they do not much care for me and it's reciprocal but I will not stop holding them to account to court their favour.
it is a sad indictment.
its time the other councils did whats right for the people of calne and put personal issues aside.
At the end of the day councillours are not there to make friend there there to do whats rights for calne.
Putting the flag up is right for calne.
www.calnetalk.com
Posted by: Ellie Bland, Calne on 9:58pm Fri 18 Apr 08
Dave Bland writes:
As a Town Councillor and Membership Secretary of Royal British Legion, there have been and are many people I have both liked and disliked. However, this has never nor would it cloud my judgement as when I vote on an issue, I remember that I am only there to represent those people who elected me. NOT TO EXPRESS MY OPINION! It would serve other Councillors both old and new to do the same.
Dave Bland writes:
As a Town Councillor and Membership Secretary of Royal British Legion, there have been and are many people I have both liked and disliked. However, this has never nor would it cloud my judgement as when I vote on an issue, I remember that I am only there to represent those people who elected me. NOT TO EXPRESS MY OPINION! It would serve other Councillors both old and new to do the same.
Posted by: Harris, Calne on 10:31pm Fri 18 Apr 08
The flag was flown today and rumour has it that it will be flown every time there is a repatriation into Lyneham. Now this confuses old Harris because I don’t believe there has been a second Town Council meeting this week, so how on earth could this have been voted in? And if the Town Council didn’t need to vote it in then what the hell is preventing it flying the flag daily – especially since the Town Council did vote by a majority to do just that last Monday. [bold]If this incompetence wasn’t so sad it would be funny[/bold] .
The flag was flown today and rumour has it that it will be flown every time there is a repatriation into Lyneham. Now this confuses old Harris because I don’t believe there has been a second Town Council meeting this week, so how on earth could this have been voted in? And if the Town Council didn’t need to vote it in then what the hell is preventing it flying the flag daily – especially since the Town Council did vote by a majority to do just that last Monday.
If this incompetence wasn’t so sad it would be funny .
Posted by: Yali, UK on 4:43pm Sun 20 Apr 08
A flag up whether St George or union every day, no argument, just do it, anybody disagree ?
A flag up whether St George or union every day, no argument, just do it, anybody disagree ?
Posted by: donteventhinkit, Corsham on 8:42am Tue 22 Apr 08
Right well my son is 12 his uncle is british forces as was his grandad and generations before that. He has a Union Jack above his headboard in his room. Sure its just a thin fabric one but its full size and its always there where ever we move the first thing to go on the wall is his flag.Whats next a refusal to wear a poppy? If my boy can do it and has done since he was very small why cant the council?
Right well my son is 12 his uncle is british forces as was his grandad and generations before that. He has a Union Jack above his headboard in his room. Sure its just a thin fabric one but its full size and its always there where ever we move the first thing to go on the wall is his flag.Whats next a refusal to wear a poppy? If my boy can do it and has done since he was very small why cant the council?
Posted by: geddi, calne on 11:34am Tue 29 Apr 08
Whether the Union flag is flown daily or weekly or what is immaterial to me. To many people in Britain it is a flag they or loved ones have fought for and some have died for it. I strongly suspect this is not ultimately the issue here. John Ireland said it above: "[italic]It's a sad indictment of local politics that this issue is clouded by personalities[/italic] ." It happened over the Lantern Parade and I imagine it will happen over other issues as well.
Fly the flag/dont fly the flag, but for gods' sake stop wasting the time granted you as councillors and grow up!
Whether the Union flag is flown daily or weekly or what is immaterial to me. To many people in Britain it is a flag they or loved ones have fought for and some have died for it. I strongly suspect this is not ultimately the issue here. John Ireland said it above: "
It's a sad indictment of local politics that this issue is clouded by personalities ." It happened over the Lantern Parade and I imagine it will happen over other issues as well.
Fly the flag/dont fly the flag, but for gods' sake stop wasting the time granted you as councillors and grow up!
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