Displaying for England!
Date published: 11 June 2010
UNITED front . . . residents in Moorcroft Street, Hollins, come together to support our boys
WORLD CUP FEVER!
WORLD Cup fever has gripped the borough as patriotic football fans prepare for England’s first match.
Chronicle photographers have been out and about snapping streets swathed in the flag of St George before our boys take on America at 7.30pm tomorrow.
Police in Oldham have denied reports that they are banning pubs from displaying England flags during the tournament. A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said it was simply a rumour doing the rounds in forces across the country.
Local Government Minister Grant Shapps has also written to every council chief in the country telling them not to act as spoil-sports during the tournament. In his letter, Mr Shapps tells local authorities to take a “common sense approach” over any potential health and safety fears caused by people flying the flag in support of the national side.
The advice follows David Cameron’s announcement that the Cross of St George will fly over Downing Street during the tournament.
Mr Shapps said: “I’ll be playing my part and displaying the flag proudly in my office in Whitehall. I want everyone around the country to feel free to do the same.”
A Communities and Local Government source said the advice follows a number of cases where councils have displayed a “seemingly inflexible interpretation of health and safety or advertising guidelines”.
Mr Shapps added: “I am hoping local authorities take a common sense approach in order to avoid accusations of being over–zealous spoil-sports, so that communities can unite around flying the flag in support of their national team.
“The English flag is a proud symbol of our nation’s identity.”
