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News

Memorial flag row rumbles on

By: Eleanor Perkins

Published: 00:00, 05 October 2014

Updated: 11:20, 05 October 2014

The row over providing a flagpole at Dover War Memorial took a different turn last week, with disagreements over the location.

An exhibition with computer generated images of what the flagpole would look like is being held at Dover Library to help the public and authorities choose.

The consultation will run until Monday, October 13. Residents are encouraged to fill out questionnaires.

'Raising awareness' - Patricia Carr

Dover resident Augusta Pearson has called for it to be erected behind the memorial statue that stands in front of the town council offices in Biggin Street.

The row started when a 4,000-signature petition was launched to raise a Union Flag at the site, after Ms Pearson said the town council did not do enough to mark the 70th anniversary of D-Day.

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However, Patricia Carr, of Miliary Road, says that location could distract from the memorial.

She said: “We’ve got a beautiful memorial. Having a flagpole would distract from it. You wouldn’t stick a flag in front of the Mona Lisa.”

Ms Carr said positioning the flagpole to the right of the statue would be much better, and claimed many people “didn’t realise what they were signing” in relation to the position of the flag.

She added: “People have been inflamed by tales of D-Day and that we didn’t mark it but I want to raise awareness so people can make an informed decision.”

Mrs Pearson, who has organised the petition, said she can’t understand the reasoning behind the objections.

She added: “We’re never going to please everybody all the time, but I’ve now got over 4,000 signatures from people who really want to see the flagpole there.”

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She said locating the flag a metre and a half from the statue ensured there would be ample space for people to walk round without impeding the view.

Ms Pearson claimed posters advertising the consultation were not enough to spread the word, and alleged the costing for the flagpole was “ludicrous” because she had been given a flag pole to use.

Mayor Pam Brivio said: “People have widely differing views on this proposal, so we are providing computer-generated images of how the flagpole would look and information about the installation.”

To take part in the consultation, visit Dover Library, open 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday (late opening until 8pm on Wednesday) and 9am until 5pm Saturday.

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