A push to permanently fly the flag of Great Britain in Sandhurst has been rejected.
A proposal to permanently fly the Union Flag in Sandhurst's Memorial Park has been turned down.
The park, spanning 69 acres, includes a community hall that serves as the town council's base. Councillor John Edwards celebrated recent patriotic displays but raised concerns over flags being displayed without permission on highways.
He suggested adding a second flagpole in the park to ensure the Union Flag is visible, especially in a military town like Sandhurst. "Imagine driving through Sandhurst, home of the Royal Military Academy, without seeing a Union flag. It represents freedom and democracy, and it’d be a shame not to have one at the council offices," he stated.
However, the majority of councillors disagreed with the idea of a second flag. Cllr Graham Birch expressed concerns about the flag being seen as divisive, stating, "The Union Jack should unite us all. I’m not in favour if it’s for political gain." He also noted that two flagpoles wouldn’t be practical.
His father, Cllr Dale Birch, questioned the timing of the proposal, feeling uncomfortable with the current political climate surrounding the flag. "I find it wrong that some groups use our flag for divisive purposes," he remarked.
Cllr Michael Brossard supported installing a second flagpole but insisted that the existing Green Flag award should also be retained to acknowledge the park's quality. Ultimately, a motion to reject the installation of a second flagpole was approved, with only Cllr Brossard opposing it.
James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter
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