Latest news with #SaintDavid
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
Brits warned they could be fined £2,500 for flying flags including Union Jack
The government has eased restrictions on flying flags, including not only the Union Jack but also the national flags of England and Wales - but falling foul of the rules could result in a fine The Union Jack has been in the limelight this week following an incident in which a 12-year-old girl was put in isolation for wearing the flag to school. However, as the government promotes increased flag displays across the country, households should be mindful of certain rules that, if breached, could lead to a hefty £2,500 fine. The Government has relaxed restrictions on flying flags, including not only the Union Jack but also the national flags of England, Wales, Ireland and indeed any other country. Even county flags, such as Yorkshire's, are being encouraged to fly more frequently as part of the Government's initiative. 'We stayed overnight at this castle's medieval-themed hotel and the kids loved it' It's worth noting that the Union Jack is often referred to as 'the Union Flag' - both terms are acceptable despite the Jack's maritime origins, but they must still be displayed in line with the law to avoid fines. The guidelines for rooftop flag displays are fairly flexible. The government allows certain flags to be flown from rooftops of any size, provided they meet specific criteria. It stipulates all flags must be kept in a safe condition, reports Yorkshire Live. Furthermore, it must have the permission of the owner of the site on which they are displayed (this includes the Highway Authority if the sign is to be placed on highway land). It must not obscure, or hinder the interpretation of official road, rail, waterway or aircraft signs, or otherwise make hazardous the use of these types of transport. It should be removed carefully where so required by the planning authority. Where flags can be flown without needing permission Any national flag, civil ensign or civil air ensign from any country. The flag of the Commonwealth, the United Nations or any other international organisation of which the United Kingdom is a member. A flag representing any island, county, district, borough, burgh, parish, city, town or village within the United Kingdom. The flag of the Black Country, East Anglia, Wessex, any part of Lincolnshire, any Riding of Yorkshire or any historic county within the United Kingdom. The flag of Saint David (Wales). The flag of Saint Patrick (Ireland). The flag of any administrative area within any country outside the United Kingdom. Any flag belonging to His Majesty's forces. The Armed Forces Day flag. The government further clarifies: "There are no restrictions on the size of flag." However, if you plan to fly the flag from a pole extending from any part of a building other than the roof, the rules become more stringent. The Town and Country Planning Regulations 2007 stipulate maximum sizes for flags flown on your house if they're on a pole, not on the roof. The government adds: "The flag may not exceed 2 square metres in size. No restrictions on the size of characters. Consent is required if the flagpole is in a controlled area." Permission is needed if you reside in a designated controlled zone, such as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Failing to comply with these rules could result in individuals being reported and potentially hit with fines of up to £2,500 for ignoring local council orders to remove an oversized flag. The law states: "A person displaying an advertisement in contravention of these Regulations shall be liable, on summary conviction of an offence under section 224(3) of the Act, to a fine of an amount not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale and, in the case of a continuing offence, one tenth of level 4 on the standard scale [£2,500] for each day during which the offence continues after conviction."
BBC News
26-02-2025
- General
- BBC News
St David's Day 2025: Everything you need to know
Every year on 1 March, Welsh people around the world celebrate the country's patron saint - St day is a celebration of Welsh culture, traditional food and people also choose to wear one or both of Wales's national emblems - a daffodil and a concerts and parades are also held in St David's who was Saint David and how is the day traditionally celebrated? Keep reading to find out. Who was Saint David? St David - or Dewi Sant in Welsh - was born on the south-west coast of Wales, near to where the city of St Davids is don't actually know the exact year when he was born, but it is believed to be some time in between 462 and 515 are many stories about miracles happening around St of the famous stories is from when he was speaking to a large crowd and someone in the crowd shouted: "We won't be able to see or hear him".Then, the ground David stood on is said to have risen up so that he was standing on a hill, making it easier for everyone to see is also said that he lived for more than 100 years and died on Tuesday, 1 March saints are chosen as special protectors or guardians over all areas of Ireland and Scotland also have their own patron saint, to whom they dedicate a separate day. How do Welsh people celebrate St David's Day? The National St David's Day parade is held in the centre of Cardiff every year, with lots of exciting many children take part, wearing traditional Welsh clothing and performing traditional girls, this includes red and black plaid skirts, red shawls, tall black hats, or bonnets. Whereas boys often wear shirts with a waistcoat, neckerchiefs and the country, many towns and villages host their own parades and concerts, including a special dragon parade in the small city of St Davids in also eat traditional Welsh foods such as cawl (a lamb stew with potatoes and winter vegetables), bara brith (a rich fruit loaf made with tea) and laverbread - which isn't a bread but a traditional Welsh delicacy made of seaweed. Three facts about Saint David 1. He was a vegetarianSt David and his monks ploughed fields by hand and didn't eat is also believed that St David only ate leeks and drank water.2. His words live onHis last words to his followers before he died are thought to have been: "Be joyful, keep the faith and do the little things that you have heard and seen me do."The phrase gwnewch y pethau bychain mewn bywyd - "Do the little things in life" - is still a well-known phrase in Wales.3. He left his markIt is said that he went on a special religious journey to Jerusalem and brought back a stone with stone now sits on an altar in St David's Cathedral, which was built on the site of David's original monastery. How did the daffodil become the national symbol of Wales? While there is no accepted single answer for why the daffodil was adopted as the symbol of Wales and became its national flower, there are a number of competing theory is that around 1 March, when St David's Day is celebrated, we begin to see daffodils starting to it could also relate to an older traditional Welsh symbol - the leek. That's because the Welsh word for daffodil is cenhinen Bedr, which translates to "Peter's leek". Sadly, it's not known who the mysterious Peter was who gave his name to the these plants both bloom at this time of year, the daffodil might have been chosen as a slightly prettier and more pleasant smelling option than the leek? Why is the leek the national symbol of Wales? There are a few theories about why leeks have become the national symbol of has its roots in legend, in the year 1346, when the Prince of Wales defeated the French at the Battle of Crécy in northern archers are said to have fought bravely in a field of leeks, and as a reminder of their bravery and loyalty, the Welsh began to wear a leek in their caps every St David's legend also makes an appearance in William Shakespeare's play Henry V written in the 1500s, when a character from Wales wears a leek to show that he is from the Tudor period, monarchs asked their guards to wear leeks on their uniforms on St David's legend has it that when St David went into battle, he asked all of his army to wear leeks on their armour to keep them the 16th century, Henry VII's daughter, Princess Mary, is said to have been presented with a leek on St David's Day, and there are also records of payments for leeks in the accounts books of several Tudor the 17th and 18th centuries it was common practice for the king and members of his court to wear leeks on St David's Day.
