Latest news with #WeoleyCastle
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Council takes down England and union flags hung by Birmingham locals
England and union flags being flown across parts of Birmingham are being taken down due to maintenance hanging the Union Jack and St George's Cross in the Weoley Castle and Northfield areas of the city said they were doing so in an act of patriotism. But Birmingham City Council issued a safety plea to residents attaching the flags to lampposts and other street said it was upgrading streetlights to energy-efficient LED lighting and had so far removed about 200 banners and flags. A statement issued by the council said the work would reduce energy use and lower maintenance costs. It said: "Work is due to begin imminently, and lamp columns need to remain free from attachments so work can be carried out as quickly and safely as possible."People who attach unauthorised items to lampposts could be putting their lives and those of motorists and pedestrians at risk."We [are] continuing to do this every week and would ask that staff doing this work are allowed to continue this work unhindered." 'Potential for collapse' The council's plan has sparked an online debate from residents of Weoley Castle. One person said they loved seeing the flags around the neighbourhood, adding "unfortunately the council own the lampposts so it's their property."A fundraiser has been organised by campaigners Weoley Warriors to raise money for more flags. With more than £4,000 gathered so far - the group said its aim was to "give hope to local communities".But the council's statement said placing "unauthorised attachments" on street furniture could be dangerous - adding that "stress tests" were carried out by the council ahead of celebrations in the city. It said: "Lampposts are engineered for their specific purpose, and adding extra weight or stress from flags and attachments can cause them to weaken over time, potentially leading to collapse." Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
'We are patriotic not racist' - passions high as England and Union flags line Birmingham streets
The flags of St George and the Union have sprung up by the score on lamp-posts and buildings in neighbourhoods around Northfield and other parts of the city in what is being described by those responsible as 'a patriotic outpouring'. The sudden appearance of the flags - first in Weoley Castle and then in other parts of Northfield including Bartley Green, Selly Oak and Frankley Great Park - has sparked a passionate debate. Many residents have expressed support, putting up their own flags, asking for their streets to be next, or donating to a gofundme appeal to purchase more. READ MORE: Road death families demand action to end road carnage The vast majority of comments on the Weoley Castle Community Facebook page were supportive of the move. "We all like the flags. They brighten up the area and they're not offensive in the slightest," said one typical post. But the activity has also stirred concern and suspicion amid claims those responsible are politically motivated and are seeking to stir up division between white British residents and other communities in the area. The area is expected to be targeted by Reform and independent candidates in next year's local elections. Resident Nazia said she respected the pride so many felt in the flag. "But for others, especially minorities like myself, it's become harder to separate that pride from the undertone of nationalism that sometimes comes with it. "I'm not against people celebrating their identity or showing support during national events. But I think we all have a responsibility to understand how those actions are perceived by others—especially in a city as beautifully multicultural as Birmingham. "We're lucky to live in a place where so many cultures, languages, and communities come together. That should be something we protect, not divide." One of those responsible for putting up the flags, speaking anonymously, said today they had put up the flags because they have 'had enough'. "This country is a disgrace and has no backbone," they said. "This isn't racism, it's frustration at being pushed into a corner and silenced." The prominence of the flags has posed a dilemma for Birmingham City Council, who have said they intend to remove 'unauthorised attachments' on lamp-posts as part of a 'programme of works to improve street lighting' in the city, claiming those putting them up are putting themselves and others in danger. They have stopped short, however, of coordinating a mass removal. We understand there are fears that any 'removals' could trigger protest. READ MORE: West Midlands 'more divided and hateful' warning as racism 'going unchallenged' Jeremy Duthie, a West Bromwich Albion fan from Weoley Castle, said the flags had been 'a breath of fresh air and have demonstrably lifted spirits.' He added: "My personal opinion is that anyone who has a problem with our national flag being flown is living in the wrong country and should maybe consider living in the country represented by whatever flag they prefer to see flying." It was a view echoed by resident Hayley Owens, 40, a former West Midlands Police officer turned podcaster and spin class teacher. She said the simple act of being patriotic was being taken out of context. "I think people have had enough of what is going on in this country. We are sick of having to apologise for being British. The flags have had such a positive impact on the community, people love them. There is nothing political about it." Asked if she accepted concerns that there was a racist element to the display, she said: "I disagree entirely. People are choosing to live here, in England, and should be proud of that. The flags are not aimed at anyone in a negative way. If people are unhappy, that is fine, they can sit with their feelings, but I do not see how the presence of flags could cause distress." She said the council would face 'a real battle' if it chose to pull the flags down. "I think there will be trouble, even riots if they take them down." Other residents pointed out that Palestinian flags were flying around parts of East Birmingham to show solidarity over the Gaza crisis and many remain in place. Charlie got in touch to say: "Let me assure you, I know the guys putting the flags up. There is no ulterior motive other than showing patriotism." He said shopkeepers and other residents 'of all backgrounds and religions' are supportive of the move and 'are smiling and saying thank you' for brightening up the area. "It's a great community thing." And one poster on a Weoley Castle facebook page added: "Every other country flies their flag with pride but when England/British do it, it's got to be for racist reasons. Why shouldn't we proud of England? It's the country we live in. Those who have issue with it should leave England and go dictate to the next country that they shouldn't fly their flag either." But some voiced concern about the 'agenda' of those behind the flags. 'K' contacted us to say: "I find the people who support them are Reform UK voters and those who want to make a statement that Weoley Castle is for white English want to make people feel unwelcome and uncomfortable. "It's not the flags themselves that are the issue - it's the motives of the people doing it." They added: "It's a shame people can't just live together without hatred." Alex Clarke, a radiographer and Weoley Castle resident, said he was also uncomfortable about the impact of the mass proliferation of flags. "There is increasing division in our city and this won't help. I think they should come down. If they were up for a celebratory reason or a specific event that is great, but it feels like this is a way of marking out territory." He said he was also concerned there was a tie-in to protests outside asylum hotels and anti-migrant sentiment. "We don't need flags to improve our community; if people want to improve things they could take positive steps to help each other." One resident, asking for anonymity, said: "I feel really uncomfortable because as the flags grow in number it feels like Weoley Castle has become a place that is full of people who don't welcome people of other heritages." Councillor Simon Morrall, who represents Frankley Great Park on the city council, described it as 'a clearly peaceful movement' that 'residents love'. He has written to the council leadership suggesting an 'amnesty' on removing any flags until at least the end of the month. He added: "When the city council can't fix potholes, are closing down youth centres and selling off assets, all while fly tipping piles up in our community and graffiti is out of control, then finding resource to remove Union flags sends the wrong message." Reform UK's Northfield group has praised the activity and encouraged supporters to back the Weoley Warriors, a gofundme group pressing for donations. So far they have received over £1,800. The group say they are 'a group of proud Englishmen with a common goal, to show Birmingham and the rest of the country of how proud we are of our history, freedoms and achievements, giving hope to local communities that all isn't lost and they are not alone."
