Latest news with #UnionFlag
Metro
a day ago
- General
- Metro
Man offers his Jaguar car in exchange for return of 20ft elephant slide
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video A pensioner says he would give up one of his Jaguars to get his beloved 20ft-long elephant slide back after the council confiscated it. The decades-old fibreglass play equipment was taken away from Trevor Robinson's home after complaints from neighbours, he claims. The 71-year-old had the 8ft tall slide delivered after spotting sub-contractors preparing to remove it from a nearby leisure park in Gillingham, Kent, two months ago. Trevor had initially planned to create a pond in his back garden for the slide, nicknamed Ellie, so children in the neighbourhood could use it. But Ellie was too heavy to carry into the back garden, so the retired forklift driver assembled it in his driveway instead. Now, Medway Council has removed it after multiple complaints and has deemed it an 'unsafe' structure. Trevor said: 'I saw them taking it away [from the leisure park] and said, 'no I will have it.' They thought I was joking. Then he delivered it to my house for free. 'People loved it. I wanted to let kids and their parents come round and use it and give the money to charity.' Trevor had hatched a plan to use a crane to lift Ellie over his house to become the 'crowning glory' of his collection of garden ornaments. However, on Thursday last week, one of the subcontractors came by, saying that due to neighbour complaints, the council had ordered him to take the slide away, he claims. Trevor, who has been attending the Strand leisure park – Ellie's former home – since he was a child, says that the elephant is part of his fondest memories. Now, the self-proclaimed 'eccentric' says that he is willing to pay anything to get Ellie back – even to give up one of his Jaguar cars. 'I think it is diabolical. All the kids loved it. If they haven't broken it up, then I will pay to get it back. I miss it; it has been a part of my life for so long,' he said. 'Everyone is really upset that it is gone. I want to get it back, I don't care what it costs. I will pay any money – I just want her back. If they let me have it back, then they can have my Jaguar.' More Trending The pensioner said he believes 'jealousy' and a dislike for the Union Flag, which is painted on the slide, resulted in the tragic result. 'It was painted with Union Jacks on the side. There are a few neighbours who don't like me, but all their kids were waiting to have a go on it,' he said. A Medway Council spokesperson said: 'During our annual health and safety audit of The Strand, the slide, which is now more than 30 years old, was not deemed to be safe, so we took the decision to remove it. 'Medway Norse arranged for a subcontractor to remove the structure. Once we became aware that a resident had the slide following complaints, we arranged for it to be picked up so it could be safely disposed of, as it is an unsafe structure.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Dad-of-four dies after stomach ache turned out to be stage four cancer MORE: UK hit by 30,000 lightning strikes after hottest day of the year ends with intense storms MORE: Bomb-filled 'doomsday wreck' comes closer to collapse with no-fly zone in place
Metro
2 days ago
- Politics
- Metro
UK council apologises over Union flag row with Primary School
A council has apologised after a politician demanded to know why a school suggested the Union flag could be 'sectarian'. Tory MSP Jackson Carlaw slammed Cross Arthurlie Primary School in Barrhead, East Renfrewshire, after they issued a letter to parents about flags which had caused 'upset' at a recent event for school leavers. Headteacher Fiona McDonald said the use of the flag had caused issues at the school, but Carlaw branded the move 'totally unacceptable and deeply offensive'. In the letter, Ms McDonald said: 'Unfortunately, the use of the Union flag with some staff images on caused some upset at the beginning of the evening. 'As a school, we promote inclusion and acceptance, actively working against potentially offensive or sectarian messaging. 'Although we recognise this was not the intent, we are concerned that others within or beyond the school community may consider that this is something we would encourage.' Ms McDonald added that she had spoken to the children about why it wasn't a good idea, and how different flags and symbols mean different things to people. 'I hope this helps everyone understand where mistakes have been made and we can move on enjoying the rest of the end of term celebrations,' she added. But Carlaw, MSP for East Renfrewshire, wrote: 'I am both angry and concerned to learn that an official letter (now confirmed as genuine) issued by the head teacher of a primary school in East Renfrewshire has suggested the use of the Union Flag amounts to 'sectarian messaging'. 'Let me be clear – to equate the Union Flag with sectarianism is totally unacceptable and deeply offensive to people both locally and across Scotland. As a start, the council must issue an unconditional apology. 'Our national flag is not up for debate – it is a symbol of our tradition, unity as a nation and hope for so many.' More Trending The school was previously praised by inspectors who described pupils as 'highly motivated to learn and achieve'. According to the Scottish Parliament, the Saltire (Scottish Flag) should be flown in the 'superior' position, followed by the Union flag. There are no laws restricting the flying of either flag, but tradition stipulates the Saltire flies above the Union flag. Schools are not required to fly any flags. The report described pupils as 'polite, confident, articulate' and 'proud of their school and demonstrate the school values very well.' East Renfrewshire Council said: 'It was not the school's intention to imply the Union flag is sectarian and both the head teacher and the council apologise for any offence and upset that has been caused to pupils, parents and carers and the wider community. 'All educational establishments in East Renfrewshire should be spaces that are focused on learning, unity, and pride in a diverse British society. We expect our schools to foster an ethos of respect for diverse perspectives and national identity.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: 'I won the National Lottery – this is what I now do day to day' MORE: This 'soulless' UK town is being knocked down and locals are surprisingly on board MORE: Search suspended for passenger who fell overboard from Scottish ferry
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Primary school in 'sectarian' Union Jack row after headteacher suggests flag is 'potentially offensive'
A primary school headteacher has been forced to apologise after a letter to parents suggested the Union Flag could be 'sectarian'. Cross Arthurlie Primary School, in Barrhead, Renfrewshire, found itself at the centre of an extraordinary row yesterday after its headteacher sent parents a letter which appeared to insinuate the Union Flag was 'potentially offensive'. In a note, Fiona MacDonald told her Primary Seven pupils parents that the 'use of the union flag with staff images on caused some upset' and that the school was 'actively working against potentially offensive or sectarian messaging'. The letter caused uproar as MSPs hit out at the school letter, with East Renfrewshire Council and the headteacher apologising for 'any offence and upset that has been caused'. Russell Findlay, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, branded the letter 'daft' and said: 'For a school to tell parents that our country's flag is 'offensive or sectarian' is ludicrous and embarrassing. 'This is what happens when the SNP spends years pushing its petty nationalist agenda in our schools, councils and other public bodies. 'After 18 years of the SNP trashing Scotland's once world-leading schools, you might think they'd be focused on improving educational standards.' Meanwhile, Scots Tory MSP Jackson Carlaw said he was 'both angry and concerned' the official letter 'suggested the use of the Union flag amounts to 'sectarian messaging'.' The Eastwood MSP said: 'Let me be clear - to equate the Union Flag with sectarianism is totally unacceptable and deeply offensive to people both locally and across Scotland. 'Our national flag is not up for debate - it is a symbol of our tradition, unity as a nation and hope for so many.' The row, which now overshadows the end of term, was ignited by Mrs MacDonald's letter sent on June 12. Writing to P7 families, she thanked them for going to a leavers' event the night before and said the 'children looked fantastic and had a great time'. But the letter goes on: 'Unfortunately, the use of the Union Flag with staff images on caused some upset at the beginning of the evening. 'As a school we promote inclusion and acceptance, actively working against potentially offensive or sectarian messaging. 'Although we recognise this was not the intent, we are concerned that others within or beyond the school community may consider that this is something we would encourage. 'I have spoken with the children about it this morning explaining why it wasn't a good idea: Using images without permission; the symbolism and association of flags and symbols to different groups of people; their actions which were contrary to the school values of respect and kindness. 'I hope this helps everyone understand where mistakes have been made and we can move on enjoying the rest of the end of term celebrations.' The local authority yesterday issued a statement insisting: 'It was not the school's intention to imply the Union Flag is sectarian and both the head teacher and the council apologises for any offence and upset that has been caused to pupils, parents and carers and the wider community. 'All educational establishments in East Renfrewshire should be spaces that are focused on learning, unity, and pride in a diverse British society. 'We expect our schools to foster an ethos of respect for diverse perspectives and national identity.'
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Scots primary school head under fire after branding Union flag 'offensive or sectarian'
The letter which leaked on social media showed the head raising concerns about the UK's national flag being displayed at an event for parents and guardians. A major row has erupted at a Scots primary school after its headteacher branded the Union flag"potentially offensive or sectarian" i n a letter to parents. The letter which leaked on social media showed the head raising concerns about the UK's national flag being displayed at an event for parents and guardians. As the Scottish Daily Express reports, the incident unfolded at Cross Arthurlie Primary School in East Renfrewshire with the correspondence signed by the headteacher Fiona MacDonald. The official school communication has now gone viral sparking a response from Scots Tory politicians who branded the letter"daft". The criticism has forced council chiefs into an apology over the letter, with education bosses sorry for any "offence and upset" that has been caused. In the letter, the head told families of P7 leavers that the use of a Union flag in images may have been a "mistake." Writing. "Thank you for coming along last night to make the P7 leavers a special event in the life of the school. The children looked fantastic and had a great time. 'Unfortunately the use of the Union flag with staff images on caused some upset at the beginning of the evening. As a school we promote inclusion and acceptance, actively working against potentially offensive or sectarian messaging. Although we recognise this was not the intent we are concerned that others within or beyond the school community may consider that this is something we would encourage. 'I hope this helps everyone understand where mistakes have been made and we can move on enjoying the rest of the end of term celebrations.' East Renfrewshire Council confirmed that the letter is genuine. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Former Scottish Tory leader Jackson Carlaw, who represents Eastwood in East Renfrewshire, blasted the comments as "deeply offensive." He said: "Let me be clear – to equate the Union Flag with sectarianism is totally unacceptable and deeply offensive to people both locally and across Scotland. 'Having spoken with a senior official at @EastRenCouncil this morning, I expect an urgent response, resolution, and retraction. As a start, the council must issue an unconditional apology. Our national flag is not up for debate – it is a symbol of our tradition, unity as a nation and hope for so many.' A East Renfrewshire spokesperson said: 'It was not the school's intention to imply the Union flag is sectarian and both the Head Teacher and the council apologises for any offence and upset that has been caused to pupils, parents and carers and the wider community. 'All educational establishments in East Renfrewshire should be spaces that are focused on learning, unity, and pride in a diverse British society. We expect our schools to foster an ethos of respect for diverse perspectives and national identity.'
Telegraph
4 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Union flag is ‘potentially sectarian', teacher tells parents
A primary headteacher in Scotland has apologised after suggesting the Union flag is 'potentially offensive or sectarian' in a letter to parents. A group of P7 pupils and their parents brought two Union flags to the school in Barrhead, East Renfrewshire, for a special event. But Dr Fiona MacDonald, Cross Arthurlie primary school's headteacher, said that the use of the flags in conjunction with images of staff had 'caused some upset at the beginning of the evening'. In a letter to the pupils' families, she said the school's commitment to 'inclusion' meant that it was 'actively working against potentially offensive or sectarian messaging'. She expressed concern that the 'others within or beyond the school community may consider that is something we would encourage'. Dr MacDonald also said she had spoken to the children, explaining why using the Union flag 'wasn't a good idea' and why their actions had been 'contrary to the school values of respect and kindness'. However, the letter caused outrage when it was published on social media, prompting the headteacher and East Renfrewshire council to apologise. The council is run by a minority Labour administration. Russell Findlay, the Scottish Tory leader, said: 'East Renfrewshire council's apology for this daft letter is welcome, but further conversations should take place to establish why such material was deemed acceptable in the first place. 'For a school to tell parents that our country's flag is 'offensive or sectarian' is ludicrous and embarrassing. This is what happens when the SNP spends years pushing its petty nationalist agenda in our schools, councils and other public bodies. 'After 18 years of the SNP trashing Scotland's once world-leading schools, you might think they'd be focused on improving educational standards.' Jackson Carlaw, the MSP for Eastwood in Renfrewshire and a former Scottish Tory leader, tweeted that he was 'angry and concerned' by Dr MacDonald's letter. He said: 'Let me be clear – to equate the Union flag with sectarianism is totally unacceptable and deeply offensive to people both locally and across Scotland.' Mr Carlaw added: 'Our national flag is not up for debate – it is a symbol of our tradition, unity as a nation and hope for so many.' Dr MacDonald wrote to the parents last Thursday following a 'P7 leavers' event for children moving from primary to secondary school and their families. She said she had spoken that morning to the pupils about why they should not have used the Union flag at the event, explaining the 'symbolism and association of flags and symbols to different groups of people.' The headteacher said she hoped this 'helps everyone understand where mistakes have been made and we can move on enjoying the rest of the end of term celebrations'. An East Renfrewshire council spokesman said: 'It was not the school's intention to imply the Union flag is sectarian and both the head teacher and the council apologise for any offence and upset that has been caused to pupils, parents and carers and the wider community. 'All educational establishments in East Renfrewshire should be spaces that are focused on learning, unity, and pride in a diverse British society. We expect our schools to foster an ethos of respect for diverse perspectives and national identity.'
