Offended over flags in Kirkintilloch? No way
RESIDENTS have hit back at claims that a recent display of flags in a village could have been "inflammatory".
A number of Saltire, Union and Red Hand of Ulster flags appeared on lampposts in the Waterside area of Kirkintilloch on Saturday, July 3.
The flags coincided with Scotland's largest Orange Order parade in Glasgow city centre and a number of readers contacted the Herald claiming the flags could have "caused trouble".
But villagers have now come forward to slam any allegations of sectarianism, saying that the display was a one-off to celebrate a long-serving member of the Waterside Orange Lodge.
They also insisted that the flags were put up by Orange Order supporters, rather than members of the Orange Lodge itself.
One resident, who said he was disappointed by the outcry, told the Herald: "The reason for the flags being there was that the Master of the Waterside Lodge has given 20 years service and it was a show of hands to him.
"They were put up at 1am on Saturday for the parade which left Waterside at 8.45am. If they hadn't been torn down later on Saturday they would have been taken down soon after.
"It was just a gesture to a very worthy man who has lived in Waterside all his life and has given 20 years service to the Orange Order."
He added: "There were only 12 flags put up – six Union flags, four Saltires and two Northern Ireland flags.
"If any offence was caused then we apologise, but these were not sectarian flags and I think the word 'inflammatory' is a bit strong when you are referring to British flags in Britain."
Several residents also claimed that the flags were a way to show support for soldiers, including several from the Waterside area, serving in Afghanistan.
Allana Drummond (21), from Waterside, said: "I've been living here for 18 months and my younger brother, who is 18, is fighting in Afghanistan.
"When I saw the flags I thought it was great that the community were supporting him.
"I was outraged when I read the story saying there were offensive – they were never likely to cause any trouble."
But others believe that there was no excuse for flying the flags at such a sensitive time.
One former Kirkintilloch resident said: "The people who did this should be held responsible and brought to justice before someone gets hurt."
What's your view? E-mail the Herald by clicking here
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Kirkintilloch
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 14 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
