Civil War banners have sparked fresh debate about whether we should be proud to fly England’s many flags.
Fifteen regimental banners from both Royalist and Parliamentarian sides currently hang above Copenhagen Street as part of a project commemorating the Battle of Worcester fought on September 3, 1651.
READ MORE: Why Worcester should be proud of flying England’s many flags | Worcester News
After England flags started to appear on lamp-posts and street furniture and painted on roundabouts in Worcester last summer, some said they felt provocative and associated with some on the far right. People putting up the flags said they were motivated by pride and patriotism.
We asked Worcester News readers what they thought. Here is what they had to say:
Pyers Symon: “I think the late Peter Ustinov got it 100% correct: ‘Before I respect a flag, I want to see who’s waving it’”
Alex Morrison: “Anyone with an issue with the UK’s flags. The issue is them”
Carol Banks: “Love to see the flags when we drive through Tewkesbury.”
Ruth Jodie Caldicott: “Quite a well written article though even though I disagree with the premise.
“A balanced paper should represent both sides I guess even though it’s not my side.
“Lynn is a shrewd politician. She knows how to play the game to keep everyone happy. Others in her Party could learn from that in their restraint.
“Wow, I’ve just called the Worcester News balanced, I must be in a good mood!”
Chris Everitt: “They do it in Evesham and Tewkesbury, tbh looks good and shows the history of Worcester and the civil war and that’s all – nothing offensive about any of it.”
Chrisminiaturefigures: “I painted that very flag for my 40mm English civil war figure collection, the Kings Lifeguard of Foote!”
Terry Jones: “Birmingham Council want to ban the Union Jack on lampposts, 2 Years in prison.”
Redford Diane: “The only flags raised in the UK should be British! Foreign flags should only fly on Embassies and Consulates…”
Darren J Pughy: “The only reason why we would not or could not fly our national flag would be because of an invasion or colonisation from a demographic with non compatible ideologies..
“That’s never going to happen is it?
David Ainscough: “I might be wrong, but those flags/banners look like they are from the Parliamentarian side. Being flown in ‘The Faithful City’!”
David Orr: “I fly none and love it dearly.”
Mark Ha: “It comes to something when the sight of your own flag offends you whilst proudly waving others.”
Nick Marston: “This would come out council tax of course. And a more cluttered visual field would make us love our country more….how? Worcester was the last hold-out of the old order that insisted on the divine right of kings, what exactly would we be celebrating here?”
Matt Fitzer: “I’ve always loved our country, every day of my life, since the day I was born.
“The problem these days is the negativity that surrounds the flying of our flag(s), taking into consideration most knuckle draggers couldn’t hang the union flag the right way when given the chance.
“Welsh and Scottish nationals can fly their own flags without the threat of an accusation of being racist, unlike us proud English folk.
“In fact, give those that were cable tying the cheap, TEMU flags onto lampposts a chance to go and view these flags and fill out a quiz and see how successful they are. That will tell you everything you need to know to separate the actual patriots from the ‘patriot’ lamppost flag flyers.
“I know what I’d put my money on.”
David Hill: “I have no problem with that. Get the flagpoles out. But on lamposts to be divisive – no thanks”
Donette Croft: “All our flags should be flown with pride as this is England and British flag should be flown”
Jemma Louise: “I love these banners because they aren’t fuelling racist hate”
Ian McIvan: “Down with the Crown.”
Nathan Grindon: “I already love it. Always have and always will.”
Steve Smith: “Unfortunately the only reason the lefty wet-wipes don’t have a problem with the civil war flags is because they aren’t the St. George’s Cross or the Union flag.
“Why are the flags only consigned to Copenhagen Street though?”
