New Church Flags installed

As many of you will be aware , I started a campaign to raise funds for a New England flag and a new Union flag for the flagpole on the church tower, having spotted the tattered one in a photo by Shaughna Warburton last summer.

The response has been truly magical and all costs covered, with even a surplus -- which has to be decided on yet.
Well, today now that storm Callum, has departed these shores, I mounted the first flight of near vertical stairs , which lead to a set of totally vertical steps from the bell ringers room on the a trap door and thence on to the roof itself.
All the time under the leadership of Mark Collis-Smith who is the master of the flag pole. And has been raising and lowering the flags for 10 years or more.

A fine day with superb views as you can well imagine .
Lanyard released and flag attached and then hoisted into position, taking care not to twist it. No breeze so we cannot yet see it in its glory.
We have the cross of St George now which is correct for a church, but will lower in November so that we can raise the Union flag for the remembrance Sunday, the 11th, the 100th year since the end of WW1 .
Then the England flag will be hoisted once more as is the practice .

An exhilarating time for me and really good talking with Mark and his experiences since he came to live here 47 years ago. By golly has he seen so many changes in that time. He was an official in the District Bank which was in number 7 Shropshire Street!,

Now down to terra firma and to the Deli .
I do hope all will feel proud to have helped in this example of this wonderful community we have

Ralph Warburton

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