Public to vote on Saint George celebration (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Public to vote on Saint George celebration

10:35am Friday 25th February 2005

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A THOUSAND angry residents have forced Hounslow Council into a rethink over whether they should fly the flag of St George on April 23 this year.

Our article last week, which revealed a plot by the ruling Labour group to snub England's patron saint on April 23 by not allowing his flag to fly on the patron saint's day, provoked uproar from readers.

Many residents, public houses, priests and others not ashamed to be English took the matter into their own hands offering council leader Colin Ellar the use of their own flags, and signing three petitions containing over 1,000 names demanding a rethink.

On Wednesday, council leader Colin Ellar said he would put the issue to the public vote: "To the best of my knowledge, in the past there has never been a similar custom of flying the flag of St George at the Civic Centre and it is an issue that has never been raised by members of the public or the press.

"Now that it has been raised by both I think it is fair the council consults the residents of the borough to see if they would like to see the national flag flown on St George's Day.

"The telephone calls and letters I have personally received lead me to think that many people support this option.

"Any readers wishing to express an opinion on whether or not the flag should be flown can participate via the Hounslow website on www.hounslow.gov.uk."

The ruling Labour group councillors had previously voted against holding celebrations to mark the day by raising the flag at the civic centre, carrying stories in the council's HM magazine, and holding events at borough schools, claiming it was too socially divisive to do so and that it might inflame racial tension.

The Rev Paul S Williamson, of the Parish of Saint George in Hanworth Park, said that "shame and disgrace" had fallen upon them for voting for "utter nonsense", and called for residents to unite.

He said: "I call upon all residents to buy a St George flag as large as possible and to fly it from their homes during the weekend of April 23. Write to the chief executive of Hounslow Council and say what you feel. Lobby your ward councillor and fly the flag of St George.

"Cover this borough with the flag, and let those councillors know what you want and will have our national flag will be flown!"

Describing himself as "very patriotic", Feltham resident Nick Lambert, 41, started his own petition gaining 100 names within two days.

The DeBrome Road resident, and father of 5 fumed: "They've really stirred up a lot of emotion with this they've gone too far. I think their argument is an obvious nonsense they are creating more tension' by banning the flag than by raising it.

"I have the backing of people from all ethnic backgrounds giving me support on this. If it's because the council think it's too expensive to buy a flag, I've got one they can borrow."

He took the copy of last week's paper to the Airman pub on Hanworth Road, who have now started another petition.

Pub manager Jeff Mockford added: "My opinion is that it's our saints day and we should be allowed to celebrate it. There aren't any complaints about St Patrick's Day, or any other saints day, so why the problem with St George?

"The council says it will raise racial tensions how can it do that? It's just a nonsense at the end of the day. We'll be flying the flag we always have a big celebration."

Tory councillor Mark Bowen (Feltham North), labelled the Labour group's decision "ridiculous" and handed in a petition of over 800 names at Tuesday night's borough council meeting, demanding the Labour group allow the flag to rise.

Councillor Bowen said: "I was outraged when I read the article, especially the reasons that were apparently given in the Labour group meeting for not wanting the flag to be flown.

I felt so strongly about this matter that I started a petition last Saturday morning.

In just four days 800 residents, from various parts of the borough, signed it."

Cllr Bowen added that he and his fellow Tory councillors have demanded a crisis meeting of the borough council to discuss the issue.

Meanwhile, Labour councillor David Hughes (Bedfont) was challenged to defend the Labour group's decision on a local internet site.

"Would I fly the flag of St George? The answer is no" read his reply.

"This saints daywas he not Turkish? So should we also let the kurdish fly flags?"

l While Hounslow councillors may be against flying the English flag on the patron saints day, Ealing council has no problem about the North Korean Embassy flying their flag for its national days.

Neighbours of the official North Korean Embassy were surprised to see its national flag flying for the first time this year. The embassy put the flag up on February 16 to celebrate the birthday of its leader, President Kim Jong-il.

Ealing Council confirmed the embassy did not need planning permission to fly their flag as it would only do so on two days of the year.

The Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) established its UK embassy at 73 Gunnersbury Avenue, Acton, 18 months ago.

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