howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
If my memory is correct their is a flagpole just inside one of the entrances to Connaught park, that may be what Paul refers to.
Guest 977- Registered: 27 Jun 2013
- Posts: 1,031
Paul, thanks for the detailed answer.
Many might think though that to fly a flag on Dover Town Hall which is seen by many residents and visitors daily would be more appropriate than or should be additional to the one on an office building in the parish of Whitfield which is seen only by workers and those having business there (illustrious as its occupiers are!).
Paul Watkins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 9 Nov 2011
- Posts: 2,225
Thank you for your opinion Ray.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
I have travelled to or through nearly 70 foreign countries in my life. In almost all of those countries the national flag is flown proudly on every public building every day of the year. Why are we so ashamed of ours?
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,658
I do not believe we are ashamed of the flag. could it be that government bodies, local and national, are to mean or to lazy to erect and fly them.
With regard to the DTC, I thought that the suggested flag pole site was where a plant pot is at the moment just outside their building not on it.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Jan, you should know by now that flying our national flag will upset someone who might be offended on behalf of some minority to whom the cross is a symbol of colonial oppression.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
It is rare that minorities get offended by our customs, just people on their behalf, I remember the boss chap of the Muslim parliament saying a few years back that he had no problems with hot cross buns.
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
My point precisely, Howard.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 1334- Registered: 7 Sep 2014
- Posts: 30
The question: why has this been raised now is easy to answer. 5 members of the community , myself included, stood by the war memorial to pay our respect on DDay and Forces day. It was both humbling and embarrassing that a council and the town Mayor (with previous experience) had not bothered to think those days important enough to be marked in Hell fire corner . French people and some other nationalities had travelled to come and share our celebrations to shake the hand of veterans and thank them for liberating France and Belgium. They thought that if they followed the flags that surely would be flying on those days would show them the route to meet those "Tommies" who's hand they wanted to shake. More than a few tears were shed by them and I at the total disgusting disregard of their sacrifice and the insults to relatives of those mentioned on the memorial. That total disregard was morally unacceptable. The answer given by the mayor as to why nothing was done was no less so. Respect is earned and does not automatically come to anybody because they wear a chain of office. Any person representing many assumes the responsibility of that role and when a major mistake has been made, the automatic response by most would have been a sincere apology to all. Any delusion of privileged position assumed by some people surely should be shattered by the scale of sacrifice made by those the memorial is for. The flag on Town Hall is the responsibility of DDC and when flown on dedicated days, honours our town and highlights the occasion. The flag by the memorial would be the responsibility of DTC and should fly 24/7 as is appropriate at a war memorial. It would ensure no further insults to those who fought and would still be willing to do so, as on DDay. Why does this even have to be discussed? Where is your pride? Your gratitude? Patriotism?
Honi soit qui mal y pense
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Mrs Pearson, you have my wholehearted support.
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,658
Keep up the fight Augusta, I am sure the vast majority of the town are with you.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
I with you on this one.keep up with the good work augusta.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
This has now to go to committee for a final decision, a lot depends on who is on that committee.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
a bunch of no hopers,names will follow later.
Guest 937- Registered: 12 May 2013
- Posts: 145
I agree with Augusta, it beggars belief that there should even be any dissenters. I share Augusta's shame at the lack of pride and gratitude.
Guest 652- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 595
It is funny how all this flag flying has come up in an election year, what I would like to know is how many of these supporters of the flag have stood at the war memorial year in year out on Remembrance day in the past, I don't recall ever seeing more than about 100 or so.
These men and women that gave their lives not only deserved respect this year, but over the last hundred years, so WHERE have the supporters been previously, going out and enjoying their freedom, NOT standing at the memorial
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
I do Sheila.
Guest 937- Registered: 12 May 2013
- Posts: 145
How very patronising the comment above reads! My Uncle was added to the Memorial some years ago and I for one had no idea that that was even possible. My parents upbringing of myself and siblings made sure we appreciated the sacrifice made by family members along with other Dovorians. It is with sorrow that you find more and more their heroism and patriotism is being lost to memory and if someone wants to make their mission the flying of our flag as a sign of respect and to show they will never be forgotten, it deserves the support of us all.
Jan Higgins- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,658
The campaign has nothing to do with the election year and is not only to do with Remembrance Day as supporters want the flag flying every day.
If I remember correctly the issue was raised because of the council's refusal to do anything about commemorating the start of the first World War, so where was the council's respect.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,983
There was not a refusal to commemorating the start of WW1in fact we had a joint service DDC with DTC which Pam and myself were happy to take part in The flag was flown from the Town Hall.Through out the year their are anniversaries where a service is held In fact I'm attending one in Sandwich on Monday.
I lay countless wreaths throughout the year.The Town Mayor does also.
I can assure you both Pam and myself have great respect.
I was born before the last war so I have memories .The memorial which I attended as a child stood proudly in the centre of our village no flag pole.
I do recall the flag flying from our church don't see that these days .