7:35am Tuesday 21st April 2009
COUNCILS across Hampshire will be proudly flying the flag of St George on Thursday – thanks to the Daily Echo.
Confusion had reigned over Government advice over which flag to fly on the day of England’s patron saint.
But after the Daily Echo stepped in to inform council leaders that the guidelines only referred to central government buildings and not local authorities, every council confirmed they would fly the cross of St George.
It had been reported that guidelines stated that Government buildings with only one flag pole should hoist the Union flag on Thursday and not the St George’s Cross.
But Toby Sargent from the Government Department of Culture, Media and Sport explained that this was not a rule for local authorities and they had the freedom to choose which flag to fly and would not be breaking any rules.
Test Valley Borough Council, Hampshire County Council, New Forest District Council and Winchester City Council were all at odds as to which flag to fly, not wanting to be seen defying the government.
But each confirmed that in the light of this new information they would fly the flag of St George, joining Southampton City Council, Eastleigh Borough Council and Fareham Borough Council.
Leader of Test Valley Borough Council, Ian Carr, said: “I am really pleased that we have gone back to look and the advice and will be flying the flag now because I don’t think that we do enough in this country to celebrate St George’s Day.”
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