STANDARD readers have overwhelmingly backed a campaign to fly Union Flags and St George Crosses throughout south Birmingham, with some even saying ‘there needs to be more’.
Since the story post relating to a community group’s campaign going live this morning, our Bromsgrove Standard Facebook page has been inundated with almost 400 likes and more than 170 comments.
Your views

Almost all of the comments have been positive towards the move after we asked for people’s views.

Bromsgrove comedian Fat Theo said: “It’s National Pride – and about time too.

“This sort of patriotism in America and Australia.”

Jayne Purcell added: “As you come off the motorway it brings a smile to your face.”

Joanne Dervisoglu said: “It shouldn’t even be a question. England Flags and Union Jacks should be up everywhere.”

In other posts, the flag-flyers were praised, some said there should be more flags everywhere and Donna Martin said: “Drove through Weoley Castle and seeing all the flags lifted my spirits.”

Meanwhile, Amy Grace said: “Beautiful scenes – we need more”, Elaine Hobbs added: “We need more in Rubery”, and Richard Whitworth commented: “I hope this catches on throughout the country.”

Others posted pictures of other areas of south Birmingham, including Bartley Green and Frankley.

How did the flag-flying campaign come about

Union Jack and St George’s flags on lampposts on Ley Hill Road, Northfield, Birmingham. Photo by Tristan Harris. s

The campaign has been spearheaded by Sean Doolan.

He posted an image of himself and 14 other men holding the flags in the Weoley Castle Community Facebook group.

He also shared a link to a GoFundMe page calling for donations for ‘flags, poles and cable ties’ which was launched by a group called Weoley Warriors.

It led to a debate about whether the flying of the national flags on the Second City’s streets should be seen as ‘patriotic’ or ‘concerning’.

One person to book the campaign was Independent Frankley councillor Simon Morrall who claimed Birmingham City Council had already begun efforts to have the flags taken down.

The local authority’s policy is to remove any flag fixed to council-owned property, regardless of whats on them. It’s understood the council has arranged a subcontractor to remove the flags in Weoley Castle.

Birmingham City Council say upcoming street lighting upgrades mean anything attached to lampposts will need to be taken down. They have also deterred the public from installing flags or anything similar on lampposts due to the potential to endanger themselves or pedestrians and motorists.

You can read the original story about the flag flying here.