calnetalk.com

Harris · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 12:39 pm Post subject: A Question (well 2 actually...)

There are many reasons being proffered as reasons to fly the Union flag daily from the Town Hall. Some people concur with more than one of these reasons, some of which are:

• To show that we are proud of our country
• To show that we are united against Terrorism
• To prevent the Union flag becoming demeaned by association with extremist groups
• To use it to instil a sense of Britishness
• To show that we believe in the British values symbolised in the Union flag
• To show that we support our troops fighting overseas
• To show the families of repatriated personnel that we mind their loss

If you were asked for your view, would you support flying the Union flag every day?

Are there any reasons not listed above that influence your decision?

Top Dog · Site Moderator Joined: 06 Jun 2007 Posts: 1574 Status:

i have now changed it to a poll.
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Regards
Top Dog.

Harris · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 1:48 pm Post subject:

Thanks for creating the poll, but I was really hoping to capture the reasoning behind the opinion. There is an increasing feeling that this particular issue is being used as a political football and that the people who don’t want the flag flown daily actually have no real reason – they just don’t like the person who first tabled it.

The trouble with a straight vote is that it doesn't give someone who holds a different view the opportunity to appreciate and understand another’s thoughts. If you do vote in the poll please do take the time to give the reasons that underpin your vote.

(Mine was yes and my reasons are given above).

If we can begin to understand why there is a difference of opinion then perhaps there may be some way of resolving this issue.

Thanks,

Harris

Top Dog · Site Moderator Joined: 06 Jun 2007 Posts: 1574 Status:

Have done you a new poll.
_________________
Regards
Top Dog.

Local lass · Calnetalk Oracle Joined: 05 Jun 2007 Posts: 2606 Status:

they just don’t like the person who first tabled it

Oddly anough Harris thats what i heard to because i argued with the person that the surley personal feelings must be set aside and they should do what is right for calne. Roll eyes

rosco · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 7:40 pm Post subject:

Harris · Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 8:08 pm Post subject:

Rosco thank you - I appreciate and respect your views.

Local Lass - The fact that you have heard this too is unfortunately unlikely to be a coincidence. If true then I really hope that those who make important decisions for our town can learn to see past interpersonal squabbles and - as you so rightly say - surely personal feelings must be set aside and they should do what is right for Calne.

Harris · Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 3:20 pm Post subject: Check the Town Hall flag pole

If you take a look at the Town Hall, you will see something different from today.

The Union Flag is now being flown proudly from its flagpole.

Very well done to all those who pursued this and well done to the Town Council for finally voting the way that the majority of Calne wanted them to.

Big Smile

Harris · Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 11:32 am Post subject:

The Union Flag has now been taken down from the Town Hall – there is an article in the Gazette and Herald. The Flag was put up on Tuesday following a vote by the Town Councillors and 5 members of the public who had chosen to attend. Around 4 or 5 councillors voted against flying the flag, all the rest voted in favour. The article in the paper reports that the Town Clerk – Linda Roberts – has said that the vote at the Parish AGM, although it does stand, has no sway over decisions already made by the council. The Town Councillors voted last year 13-2 not to fly the flag.

So let me get this straight – the Town Councillors have clearly voted in favour of flying the flag, but because their vote was cast in a Parish AGM it cannot change the decision of their previous vote – albeit the majority have, over the course of the last few months, clearly reviewed their position and decided in favour of the flag being flown. What a ridiculous position for the Town Clerk to take!

Almost 100% of people in Calne who have been asked for an opinion (some 233 so far) have said that they want to fly the flag and show support for our Armed Forces and respect for those who lose their lives.

Tomorrow the bodies of the 2 airmen killed in Afganistan last Saturday will be repatriated into RAF Lyneham and it is likely that their families and loved one’s will be arriving in Calne today to stay overnight.

To take the flag down on the basis of a supposed technicality on the eve of this repatriation is not just insensitive – it is downright insulting.