Pride and Unity. Our National Flag.

I absolutely love living in Sutton. I've lived here all my life and I'm really, really proud of the friendly, diverse and welcoming place it is.  

Throughout the Summer, I've experienced that diversity, friendship and pride in our borough at the many events I’ve attended. It was great to meet so many residents who, like me, love living in Sutton. 

Over the past week, you may have seen the Union Flag appearing on lampposts across many of our high streets. The Union Flag is a symbol of our civic pride and unity - something I experienced at the many events I attended. It's great that so many people want to fly them to celebrate Sutton and our country.  

People are free to fly flags on their own homes or businesses, but of course they need permission when it comes to someone else's property or public property. There are also health and safety risks - believe it or not, even the lightest of flags, incorrectly attached, can impact the structure of lampposts. 

Some residents have also been in touch with me because seeing the flags in places where they wouldn't expect to see them has made them feel uneasy. For all these reasons we are taking unauthorised flags down. 

I had a great time over the past few weeks attending the Ecofair in Carshalton Park, the Hindu celebration of Ganesh in Beddington Park and the Carshalton Jazz Festival. I was sad to miss this year's Folk in the Park, but I heard from others who attended that it was amazing.

At all the events, Sutton’s tight-knit community was felt, and so whatever you may be doing this weekend, please do it with pride, unity, respect, tolerance and compassion for all those who live in our amazing borough. 

As for the Union Flag, we will still continue to fly it on our flagpole in Sutton’s main high street and on our civic buildings as a symbol of our pride and unity. 

Have a great weekend. 
Barry