Few councils plan to fly the flag for Yorkshire

In early June, the Yorkshire Devolution Movement wrote to all local authorities which represent the historic county of Yorkshire (that’s over 70) urging them to fly the traditional white rose flag outside public buildings in their ownership.  However, just a few days away from Yorkshire Day it has emerged that barely a handful of councils across the county plan to fly the white rose flag of Yorkshire.

 

Based on the replies received (and in the case of Bradford MBC not received but subsequently gleaned from the local paper!) it emerged that just one council (Rotherham MBC) flies the Yorkshire flag all year round while just seven others (Bradford MBC, Calderdale MBC, Saddleworth PC, Scarborough BC, Doncaster MBC, Harrogate BC, East Riding of Yorkshire UA) plan to fly the flag next Thursday.

 

This is what the Yorkshire Devolution Movement said in the media release last week:

 

“It is very disappointing that so few councils will be flying the Yorkshire flag on Yorkshire Day and even fewer intend to fly it all year round. This suggests an apparent lack of pride many councils have in the county and all this barely a year on from when Yorkshire sportsmen and women did so magnificently in the London Olympics.

 

“It is hard to imagine the same disinterest in Scotland and Wales where public buildings fly the St. Andrew’s Cross and Welsh Dragon with justifiable pride. We are delighted that a handful of councils in the county will be flying the white rose flag but we can only conclude that most local councils don’t care.”

 

The Bradford Telegraph & Argus and the Sheffield Star both carried the story last week.