Hampshire Council says Yo-Ho-No!

Guise Dugal — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 19:47:44 +0000

There is always some controversy whenever a council takes action about complaints on how households decorate their property. Stories in the past have included a complaint of harrassment from a muslim family by a neighbour displaying ceramic pigs in the only window facing their property, a exterior christmas tree banned from having lights because it may electrocute vandals, and all manner of things complained of being an eyesore to other residents.

In some cases, you have to wonder about who the anonymous plaintiff was.

Jolly Roger gesture is put to the sword
SHE wanted to fly the Jolly Roger in her garden for a bit of fun – but Carol Clark’s plan to run the flag up the pole has been shot down in flames.
Mrs Clark, 47, from The Rookery, Whitchurch, received a letter from the borough council after someone complained about the flag being flown.
An inspection by a council official followed – and Mrs Clark was then told flying the pirates’ emblem contravened advertising regulations and that she would have to apply for consent, at a cost of £265, or risk legal action.
Mrs Clark, who works for Winterthur Life, said: “This is the daftest thing I’ve ever heard of. I thought someone was playing a joke when the letter arrived.
“My husband, daughter and I love to go sailing and love flying flags at sea. My mother-in-law knew this and bought us an 18-foot flagpole for the garden.
“A friend bought us a Jolly Roger flag, which we put up as a bit of fun. The thought that someone could be offended by it is unbelievable. It’s in our garden and very difficult to spot from outside.
“To go to all the trouble of sending someone round to inspect the flag seems like an incredible waste of money. In the end, we decided it wasn’t worth all the hassle and took it down.”
Whitchurch borough councillor Keith Watts tried to persuade the council to let Mrs Clark fly the flag.
He said: “I’ve had lengthy e-mail conversations with the enforcement officers to try to let Mrs Clark’s flag be flown.
“I think this decision makes the council look like a laughing stock. I’ve seen the pole myself and it’s very secluded. I couldn’t see how the flag was doing any harm.
“Unfortunately, the borough has to follow the rules laid down to them by central government. I’d like to see local government have more control over such trivial issues.”
Recognised national, regional or local flags may be flown without consent, but all others are treated as advertisements and require planning permission.
Nicky Linihan, head of planning and transport for Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, said: “We follow the good practice guidance on outdoor advertising issued by the Department of Communities and Local Government.”
Mrs Clark has now decided to replace the Jolly Roger with a Union Flag, which does not require consent to be flown.
(Source: This Is Hampshire, 18 January 2008)

Obviously, in this case either the plaintiff or representitives of the council in Whitchurch, Hampshire, were ninjas, striking a blow against their rivals. The flying of the flag was most definately a sign of support for piratical policies and advertising for people to join their motley crew. The family in question already go sailing and, although it is not discussed in the article, probably get involved in boarding over vessels and stealing their rum.

It is therefore not unreasonable for the council to take a firm stance on this advertising, as they can not be seen in support of publicised piracy by locals.

In the meanwhile, ninjas continue to spread their influence, silently and with great corruption.

The Ramblings of Guise Dugal » ninjas

Hampshire Council says Yo-Ho-No!