Health and safety killjoys tell war vets they are too old to hoist the Union Flag over town hall

The Evening Standard (U.K.) ^ | July 26, 2008

[Stoat]

Health and safety killjoys tell war veterans they are too old to hoist the Union Flag over town hall

Last updated at 02:38am on 26.07.08

 

 

 

Up in arms: Veterans John Ireland (right) and Keith Hutchins in front of the town hall

In their younger days, they risked death and injury to fight for their country against the Nazis and other enemies.
 

But, now, war veterans who want to fly the Union Flag proudly above their town hall are being defeated by a barrage of health and safety rules.
 

Royal British Legion members had scented victory after fighting for months to hoist the flag permanently in Calne, Wiltshire.
 

The council suggested handing over the operation to the veterans  -  but then landed them with a 50-point list of rules banning anyone with a wide range of health conditions from going on the roof.
 

All the branch's 84 members are over 60 and suffer from a variety of ailments which would stop them going up a ladder to raise the flag.
 

The council report rules out anyone taking prescription medicines or with a history of heart problems, asthma, stroke, high or low blood pressure, epilepsy, fear of heights, depression, poor sight, mobility problems or diabetes.

Councillor John Ireland, 61, who is also branch chairman and served in the Army for 27 years, said: 'We have fought bravely and many of us risked our lives in a world war.
 

'We are perfectly capable of going up a ladder a few feet to put a flag up on a roof.
 

'All the council is trying to do is find excuses to stop flying the flag.
 

'They have been very sneaky. What they gave in one hand, they took away in the other, knowing full well none of us is fit enough to match those rules.'
 

The report adds that anyone raising the flag would have to undergo training courses in 'working at height' and 'manual handling'.

They would also have to be kitted out in safety footwear and weatherproof clothing.
 

The 25ft flagpole is on a section of flat roof accessed via a ladder through a skylight.
 

But the veterans cannot ask younger non-members to help as they have to be covered by the RBL's £10million insurance policy.

 

 

 

The 26ft flagpole is on a 30ft roof - but the war veterans insist it is no challenge

The dispute began last November when the 19-member council rejected Mr Ireland's proposal to fly the Union Flag permanently.
 

Opponents cited the £80 annual cost and said the flag would lose significance if flown every day.
 

But legion members claim the council is being politically-correct as it fears being labelled racist.
 

Mr Ireland believed the veterans had won when the council agreed to consider handing over the control and cost of the flagpole.
 

But days later, town hall clerk Linda Roberts produced the lengthy rules for councillors to consider before voting on the idea.
 

She suggests a 'less risky option', such as flying the flag from the side of the council building or from another building in the town.
 

Branch treasurer Margaret Russell added: 'The health and safety rules are just the latest hurdle the council has put in our way. It is our flag and we should be proud of it.'
 

Calne town council refused to comment yesterday

[Stoat]

But legion members claim the council is being politically-correct as it fears being labelled racist.

If you would like to make your opinions on this matter known to a representative of the Calne Town Council, you may do so here:

Calne Town Council- Contact Us

Council Offices & Opening Times

The council offices are located on The Strand, opposite the Town Hall.

Our contact information and opening hours are as follows:

Calne Town Council
Bank House
The Strand
Calne
Wiltshire
SN11 0EN

Tel:    01249 814000
Fax:    01249 814440
Email:    calne@calne.gov.uk

Office Opening Hours
Monday to Thursday  -  9am to 5.30pm
Friday  -  9am to 5pm
Saturday  -  9.30am to 12.30pm

[Stoat]

More recent news pertaining to UK Health and Safety laws:

(U.K.) New laws pull plug on Xmas (Health and Safety rules, insurance make decorations too pricey)

War veterans' fury after Remembrance Day services scrapped by health and safety killjoys (UK)

Coastguard who saved girl twice quits over health and safety row (We don't want dead heroes)

[Stoat]

Perhaps this might be a good candidate for a Nanny State ping?

[Gabz]

(UK) Nanny State Ping..........

These men fought for their country, but are now deemed incapable of hoisting a flag?

Ridiculous.

[Gabz]

This is utterly ridiculous. Where is the consideration for the health and safety of these veterans when they are forced out of their clubs in inclement weather to (attempt to) enjoy a cigarette?

[Stoat]

If you would like to send a kind word of support to the Royal British Legion, you may do so here:

Main offices

The Royal British Legion - Contact Us

Calne Branch

Links Page

Branch President
Mr. Patrick (Paddy) Croxford
01249 812863
E-mail jacqueline@jacquelinecroxford.wanadoo.co.uk

Branch Chairman
Mr. John Ireland
01249 811910
E-mail jri2272@btconnect.com

Branch Secretary
Mr. Keith Hutchins
16 Stockley Lane
Calne
Wiltshire
07715093258
E-mail keith.hutchins@tesco.net

[djsherin]

How can they prevent these men from raising a flag? I don’t recognize this world anymore.

[Stoat]

This is utterly ridiculous. Where is the consideration for the health and safety of these veterans when they are forced out of their clubs in inclement weather to (attempt to) enjoy a cigarette?

Thank you very kindly for pinging your list  :-)

I'm guessing that the Nannystaters will find a reason to prevent them from congregating outside to smoke as well.

I'm particularly troubled, however, by the line in the article:

But legion members claim the council is being politically-correct as it fears being labelled racist.

Sadly, no further explanation of this is given, but it 'seems' that this Council is worried that the display of the Union flag may be interpreted as being a 'racist statement' by locals in the community.  This would not be the first time that this sort of thing has happened in Great Britain:

Great Britain Navy bans St.George flags (Flag said to upset Turks; reminder of Crusades)

[Stoat]

How can they prevent these men from raising a flag? I don’t recognize this world anymore.

Agreed...the cancer of Socialism and it's myriad tentacles have turned so much of the world on it's head.

Similar things could easily happen here in the USA if we allow Socialism to gain a greater foothold.

[Little Bill]

Just sent out an evil email, you might want to contact the Canadian Legion, and the Anzacs, I got no pings in Canukistan and OZ.

[patton]

I am thinking no one asked them to play 50 questions, before the were handed rifles and told to hold the German advance.

[Gabz]

I[m thinking you’re right.

[Gabz]

That line in the article bothered me as well.

[Stoat]

Just sent out an evil email,

I'm sure that everyone would be delighted if you would be so kind as to re-post it here, without any personal info about you in it, of course  :-)

 

you might want to contact the Canadian Legion, and the Anzacs, I got no pings in Canukistan and OZ.

An excellent idea.  I'm thinking that this page might be appropriate for the ANZAC contact info, given that the listed address is for ANZAC House.

Home page of the Australian Capital Territory Branch of the Returned and Services League of Australia

 

and here for the Royal Canadian Legion

The Royal Canadian Legion

The Royal Canadian Legion
Dominion Command
86 Aird Place
Ottawa, ON
K2L 0A1

Phone: (613) 591-3335
Fax: (613) 591-9335

e-mail: info@legion.ca

[Stoat]

That line in the article bothered me as well.

Indeed.  I could just imagine certain minority groups here in the USA who have a militant, belligerent and foreign-nationalistic track record such as the Mexican-nationalist (Aztlan) or Black Nationalist groups taking offense at the display of the American Flag as being "racist" or "non-inclusive".

[Little Bill]

I did not save the draft, me bad. I said essentially that my family has served in every war in this century with both British, Canadian, and US Forces.

I told them that my Father In Law was a POW in WW2 for several years. I condemned them for imposing stupid safety rules on old people and roust out a few of their buffoons to help them place the flag that they offered their lives to defend.

I also recommended that they could save the 80 Pounds a year, to Fly the Flag, by cutting down on Tea and Buns.

[Stoat]

Wonderful :-)

Thanks so much....hopefully they will be swamped by similar letters to the point of their email server melting :-)

[Little Bill]

Pingy

[Gabz]

I could just imagine certain minority groups here in the USA who have a militant, belligerent and foreign-nationalistic track record such as the Mexican-nationalist (Aztlan) or Black Nationalist groups taking offense at the display of the American Flag as being "racist" or "non-inclusive".

Well, too danged bad about them is my opinion.

[GOP_Lady]

No one taking any kind of prescription medication would be allowed the roof? LOL. Well, that would eliminate nearly everyone. This is just totally ridiculous and stupid.