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Flag in Square - Howard Sykes (23rd Aug 2025  17:50:15) Thoroughly enjoying seeing various village, towns and cities flying the Union Jack, along with the St Georgeā€™s Cross. Would the local council be willing to invest in a flag pole outside the Royal Anchor Pub, could not think of a better place to show the world weā€™re British! Letā€™s not be embarrassed to be British and letā€™s hope Liphook residents get behind this.

Re: Flag in Square - Lucy (24th Aug 2025  09:14:23) Interesting, I looked up 'St George' (ChatGPT) and it seems he was born in Turkey and was a Roman soldier, though executed for his Christian beliefs. Hypothetical Question: if St George fled Italy to seek sanctuary in the UK, by small boat or other means, because he was being persecuted by the Roam regime, would we agree to give him refugee status or would we ship him out to Rwanda (for instance) ChatGPT said: St. George was a Christian martyr and soldier who is best known as the patron saint of England, though he is also venerated in many other countries. His life is shrouded in legend, but hereā€™s what is generally known (or believed): Historical Background: Lived: Likely during the late 3rd century to early 4th century AD. Birthplace: Possibly in Cappadocia (modern-day Turkey). Occupation: Roman soldier under Emperor Diocletian. Death: Around 303 AD, he was executed for refusing to renounce his Christian faith during Diocletianā€™s persecution of Christians. Key Legend ā€“ The Dragon: The most famous legend about St. George is his slaying of a dragon: A dragon was terrorizing a town (often said to be in Libya). The townspeople offered it sheep, and eventually, human sacrifices. When the kingā€™s daughter was chosen to be sacrificed, George arrived, fought, and killed the dragon. As a result, the town converted to Christianity. This story is symbolic, representing the triumph of good over evil or faith over paganism. Veneration and Legacy: Canonized: George was recognized as a saint very early in Christianity. Feast Day: April 23rd. Patron Saint of: England, Georgia, Portugal, soldiers, scouts, and others. Symbol: Often depicted with a red cross (which appears on the English flag), in armor, slaying a dragon.

Re: Flag in Square - David (24th Aug 2025  09:17:16) Howard I completely agree with your comments, lets hope the local council do as well. Have a great day

Re: Flag in Square - C (24th Aug 2025  10:03:24) I agree. Iā€™m very proud to be British! Iā€™m also proud to be a member of the LGBTQ+ community so maybe we could ask them to display a pride flag too.

Re: Flag in Square - Dawn Mitchell (24th Aug 2025  10:46:23) GUYS, Lucy says St George was Turkish? I always thought he was English. Don't we have any English saints? What about Peter and Paul and Luke. Surely English?

Re: Flag in Square - M (24th Aug 2025  10:50:11) Sounds good to me, although I think it should be a Union Jack (correctly hung of course....how many being flown are upside down!!!) as it is a Union Flag representing the majority of residents, no matter of their ethnic background or what they "identify" as! Don't we already have a flag pole outside the Millennium Hall that flies a Flag though?

Re: Flag in Square - Local (24th Aug 2025  11:19:40) Yes the flag pole at the millennium hall should ALWAYS have a union flag flying the council needs to get there act together.

Re: Flag in Square - Kurt (24th Aug 2025  12:18:55) I agree the council should put up a flag post in the village, but any flag should be a St George flag not a union jack, as this is ENGLAND and I don't buy the line that St George was Turkish as I have never met any Turkish gentleman by the name of George. St George was English - period. So much misinformation out there purposely designed to confuse us and divide us.

Re: Flag in Square - paul (24th Aug 2025  15:34:48) Hi, The first flags were flown to mankind around 3000 BCE. In England it was 1606, by James the 1st. What is the problem flying our national flag at any time, if proud to be British, or English. Many countries around the world fly their identity This rightly so, and their entitlement. Our current generation are "hung-up", as is right to show our national flag? Try saying that to veterans survivors of the of World War 11...

Re: Flag in Square - Joe (24th Aug 2025  15:35:21) Cannot tell whether the posters are being ironic or not but Lucy no Peter Paul and Luke were not English. Read the Bible. I for one do not need a flag to tell me what nationality I am. Great Britain has been invaded many times and refugees from many other countries have been in most peoplesā€™s history so what makes a person or a place ā€œEnglish? ā€œ

Re: Flag in Square - Resident (24th Aug 2025  16:48:07) Imagine telling americans you cannot fly stars and stripes at home? We dont need a history or religous lesson we should be proud to fly our flag in our country

Re: Flag in Square - Jen (25th Aug 2025  16:38:32) Hmm. I dislike having flags up everywhere, unless it's temporary and for a specific event or a commemoration, such as the coronation or the anniversary of VE Day. Please don't let us adopt yet another US custom! We have already absorbed Father's Day, Trick or Treating, School Proms, Baby Showers, Gender Reveals and other such customs. Surely we can do without flagpoles in every front garden? Let's keep all the flag flying across the pond, please! I think the prominent display of national flags speaks more loudly of nationalism than it does of patriotism. We don't need flags to remind us where we are or who we are. Do we?

Re: Flag in Square - passfield resident (25th Aug 2025  17:55:42) Jen-well said

Re: Flag in Square - Mary (25th Aug 2025  19:47:24) Evening all, I hope you all enjoyed this beautiful weather this bank holiday weekend. As per the other post, most of us should a DNA test and then we could fly the flag of heritage. Also as the other post said, if your going to fly the George cross (and yes he was 100% Turkish, not an English bone in his body) or the union flag, please fly it the correct way.

Re: Flag in Square - John (25th Aug 2025  21:24:25) A good old rainbow flag is what we should be flying for all the forgotten and lost souls that need saving in Liphook.

Re: Flag in Square - Stu (25th Aug 2025  22:29:40) It is not to remind us but others who we are.....

Re: Flag in Square - Clare (26th Aug 2025  07:23:14) If itā€™s something people feel so strongly about I suggest they spend their own money and put a flag up in their garden or in their window at home. I would much rather the council spent money fixing potholes or on improving public services.

Re: Flag in Square - Jen (26th Aug 2025  09:53:38) I agree with Jack Dart on this issue. facebook.com/share/v/1AszkAKf4z

Re: Flag in Square - passfield resident (26th Aug 2025  11:37:58) Agree Jen. He puts it very intelligently.

Re: Flag in Square - Observer (26th Aug 2025  12:49:28) Some people need to understand a little more about St George 'the person' and the St George Flag. There's an implication in this thread that somehow the St George Flag is linked to Turkey. It isn't, and here's why. St George was revered across all Christendom for his bravery and martyrdom in defending the Christian religion around 3AD. He was a Roman soldier from Cappadocia (which much later on became modern-day Turkey). The Crusader Emblem from the Middle Ages was a red cross on a white background. Armies at that time needed a simple, visible emblem in battle. St George as a warrior-saint became the patron saint of soldiers and knights. The emblem became associated with the protection of St George - for courage, sacrifice and pride. The emblem and meaning (red on white) has zero connection with Turkey.

Re: Flag in Square - Audrey (26th Aug 2025  16:13:55) I think Lucy's point 24th August was that ST GEORGE, the Patron Saint of England was TURKISH and NOT ENGLISH Certainly a surprise to me, but then BORIS JOHNSON also has Turkish linage, as does the designer of that iconic British Mini car, Sir Alec Issigonis see below: Boris Johnsonā€™s paternal great-grandfather was Aliā€ÆKemal, a Turkish journalist and briefly the Interior Minister in the final Ottoman government. Aliā€ÆKemal was born in Istanbul and was of mixed ethnic backgroundā€”his father, Haci Ahmet Rıza Efendi, was a Turk from the central Anatolian village Designer: Sir Alec Issigonis Full name: Alexander Arnold Constantine Issigonis Background: British-Greek engineer and car designer Born: 1906 in Smyrna (now Ä°zmir, Turkey) Nigel Farage, as an example, has German and Belgian lineage (and apparently changed his children's nationality to German immediately after Brexit? - very strange) The Royal Family, originally Saxe-Coburg/Hanover dynasty, but changed their title to 'Windsor' and 'Mountbatten' are of course also of German lineage. It seems to me that we probably all have 'foreigner' DNA in us, something maybe to celebrate? (here are tests available for this - see link below: www.dnaweekly.com/best/ancestry Love and Peace to All - WE ARE ONE HUMANITY on a unique and beautiful planet within an empty universe. Audrey C.

Re: Flag in Square - Local (26th Aug 2025  17:08:55) No clare itā€™s just that the government and all the councils down the line should be backing this country to the hilt flying flags is a way of saying that your backing this country so all councils should fly our flags. We are so weak kneed about upsetting everyone itā€™s time we made a stand and backed our own people. This government has made a complete mess of everything.

Re: Flag in Square - Observer (26th Aug 2025  18:43:18) I'm personally amazed at people who like to run down their own country by finding any way of diminishing British influence, tradition, culture or achievements. Where's the pride in your own country, or the country you now call home?

Re: Flag in Square - Grape (26th Aug 2025  19:21:58) Regardless of historic "facts" and interpretations, St George is now OUR English flag. We should be no less proud to fly it as the Welsh, Scottish, Ukrainian and Palestinians do with theirs. The ruling class is increasingly anti-patriotic, whilst making big fuss about sovereignty of Ukraine and Palestine or whoever else is the flavour of the month. Borders and nationality are all very good for others but are being abandoned or denied when it comes to us. We should fly the flags to signal we are still more patriotic than the ruling class are, and more than they'd like us to be. We need to fly the flags for future generations to observe and learn patriotism. We need to fly the flags that unify us locally (UK, England, Hampshire. Liphook). We must not fly the flags that divide us and are concerned with non-local issues, such as identity politics (e.g. the Alphabet people flags) or foreign conflicts. We should use our flag to flag out what is wrong, should be dealt with by the authorities but is not (e.g. potholes).

Re: Flag in Square - David (26th Aug 2025  20:03:22) Evening Grape I also agree with your comments

Re: Flag in Square - John (27th Aug 2025  07:56:07) Ah, the classic Union Jack enthusiast ā€” chest out, flag up, job down, brain cells on permanent furlough. Theyā€™ve got the St. Georgeā€™s Cross tattooed somewhere between their last benefit claim and their first can of lager, all while insisting theyā€™re the ā€œtrue face of Britain.ā€ The irony, of course, is that they know less about their own country than a GCSE geography student on their phone five minutes before the exam. Patriotism, for them, is a full-time job ā€” which is convenient, because itā€™s the only one theyā€™ve ever held.

Re: Flag in Square - Jen (27th Aug 2025  09:08:48) Readers might be interested in this article, which explains how the original patron saint of England, St Edmund, came to be replaced by St George. historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofEngland/Edmund-original-Patron-Saint-of-England

Re: Flag in Square - Scott (27th Aug 2025  09:20:42) John, the other classic British trait, broad sweeping statements, sometimes in jest, sometimes for ironic comedic effect but mostly just for sniping at others! I'm sure you are aware you can be patriotic, proud to be English and enjoy every aspect of living in this wonderful eclectic pot we call Great Britain. Or is that not allowed in the UK anymore under some new legislation? You don't have to be bearded or idle with multiple kids by various mothers. Sorry, I don't meet your criteria. Reasonably well educated, a 40 year career in business and industry, on the tools and in the backroom offices,I don't have tattoos, I drink alcohol rarely. Been married to the same lady for nearly 30 years with only 2 kids from the same relationship. I'm still proud of this country which I have travelled extensively with all of its eccentricities and diversities, it makes it a fasciniting place to explore beyond the radius of Liphook. We don't get it right all the time and we were all from migrant blood at some point in history. If you want to fly a flag, well go ahead, I prefer to celebrate the UK in other ways by bigging us up when we get it right , be it sport, tech or medical advancements or some of the great things everyday people achieve sometimes with no recognition. We are a good nation, people will see what they want. Treat everyone and every new day with a smile, its liberating.

Re: Flag in Square - Grape (27th Aug 2025  13:44:02) To all the proud patriots, national flag fliers making their voices heard to the dismay of the ruling class: We are proud of you. We support you morally. Carry on the good work. We are at your debt. I'd be delighted to help if you need more flags. At long last something is beginning to stir in sleepy England. We've been oppressed for way too long.

Re: Flag in Square - Lisa (27th Aug 2025  17:57:17) @Grape I'm curious to know exactly how you have been "oppressed"?

Re: Flag in Square - WUND (28th Aug 2025  12:17:33) @Lisa - I suggest you go on YouGov and view polling data for confidence in the current Gov to understand why Grape and others feel oppressed. Or look on the Central Bank website for current inflation figures and economic forecast, to understand why tax payers and business owners feel oppressed. Or look at the Gov.UK website and research VED band changes, or Council Tax reforms, or population statistics to see why the majority of people feel oppressed. Where have you been?!

Re: Flag in Square - passfield resident (28th Aug 2025  14:04:33) We're not oppressed. Using the word to apply to Britain is insulting to people who really are oppressed. We're just not producing enough wealth to have the public services and infrastructure we would like, and self-serving politicians are inciting people to blame our problems on immigrants. It's been done before. It is happening in other countries.A lot of the people making the most noise about immigrants don't contribute much to society. A common characteristic of the protesters you see on TV protesting near hotels housing migrants is that they look vacant at best, moronic at worst.Obviously some immigrants are taking advantage of us, but then there are plenty of British people taking everything they can from the state and contributing very little.

Re: Flag in Square - M (28th Aug 2025  14:51:34) Oppressed šŸ˜‚šŸ˜‚šŸ˜‚ Oh you poor little thing Absolute snowflake if you think we are oppressed. Painting the flag on mini roundabouts...that'll show the powers to be how proud we are to be British šŸ˜‚ It's ridiculous, grow up šŸ˜‚

Re: Flag in Square - Sam (28th Aug 2025  15:42:23) The super rich have all your money, they donā€™t pay taxes and this squeeze is why some feel opposed. The super rich also applaud the flags going up as they know you have taken the distraction bait hook line and sinker. You enemy isnā€™t arriving on a boat ! He is holding an investment portfolio whilst he laughs at all of us getting squeezed tighter.

Re: Flag in Square - AR (28th Aug 2025  15:48:30) @passfield resident So we are not making enough money to provide for the public services in this country. Maybe if we were not spending Ā£ 5.77 million a day ( to be fair, it was Ā£8.3 million ) on housing migrants in hotels we might not be in such a spot of bother. Maybe people would not feel so angry that others are getting better treatment when the country is is in such a terrible state. We have always been a welcoming country, but sometimes it seems like the government are just taking the preverbial...

Re: Flag in Square - pete (28th Aug 2025  16:51:43) Love the painted cross on the mini roundabout..

Re: Flag in Square - Amused (28th Aug 2025  18:19:21) Sam you live in a little world of your own. If this country didnā€™t have rich people and entrepreneurs to run business nobody would have a jobs it takes guts to run a business working all hours and employ people that really donā€™t want to to work would rather claim benefits. This government is responsible for all the business going to the wall they just havenā€™t a clue.

Re: Flag in Square - D (28th Aug 2025  18:31:31) Sam's right, why should all the money go to the super rich who started with nothing, worked all hours God sends, took great risks with their money and business strategies and spent decades building their businesses up with no guarantee of success and probably lost out on a lot of quality family time as well. It should go to us lazy bastards who do nothing but whine all day. šŸ˜„

Re: Flag in Square - paul (28th Aug 2025  20:40:42) Hi, Flying National flags, should be normal, be it Union Jack, or St Georges Cross. Many countries do it, on many buildings, and homes. USA is very proud of their flag, and is prominent in many places. We as nation should not think showing our identity is wrong. It is patriotism, not nationalism, and long may is continue to the next generation.

Re: Flag in Square - Local (28th Aug 2025  21:28:59) Well said Paul spot on .

Re: Flag in Square - Charlie (29th Aug 2025  14:37:23) WUND Your post was really one of stupidest posts I have read on this site. You don't know the meaning of the word oppressed. I will enlighten you - here are some synonyms: abused. destitute. enslaved. helpless. persecuted. The majority of people voted this government in, heaven help us, but we are not oppressed - go to North Korea if you want to see real oppression.

Re: Flag in Square - D (29th Aug 2025  16:43:35) I think Sam's idea of socialism is something like this:- a hard working millionaire businessman gives half his wages to Waynetta Slob and her twenty kids. In return Waynetta Slob gives half of her wages to the hard working multi millionaire businessman. Hang on, isn't that what happens anyway?

Re: Flag in Square - Sam (29th Aug 2025  21:38:44) There is no hope left if you think the likes of Elon Musk, Rupert Murdochs etc are your heroā€™s, you wonā€™t become them for sure, and they couldnā€™t give a toss about you, but am not suggesting enterprise, business and profit are bad things, but when those at the top purchase and control media you should be paying a lot more attention as to why, itā€™s those people whom control the narrative and that narrative is to not point the finger at them. England today = Germany 1920ā€™s

Re: Flag in Square - Mary (30th Aug 2025  08:39:24) Morning all, Welcome to another lovely day. Dear Observer, Please check you facts before stating something Saint George's origin story has two main parts: a historical basis and a much later, more famous legend. Historically, St. George was likely a Christian soldier in the late 3rd century Roman army who was martyred in Palestine for refusing to recant his faith under the Emperor Diocletian. The legendary story, which developed centuries later, tells of George slaying an evil dragon in Libya to save a princess and a town, leading to their conversion to Christianity. The Historical Saint George Birth and Background: He was likely born in Cappadocia (modern-day Turkey) to Christian parents around the year 280 AD. Military Career: He served in the Roman army, rising to a significant rank, and was a favourite of the Emperor Diocletian. St George was born in Cappadocia and her served in the Roman army, . Also many other countries celebrate the 23rd April and fly the flag of St George;- .His feast day, Saint George's Day, is traditionally celebrated on 23 April. Historically, the countries of England, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Georgia, Ukraine, Malta, Ethiopia, I hope we all manage to enjoy the sunshine. Mary

Re: Flag in Square - Resident (30th Aug 2025  10:11:31) The story doesn't matter, we have adopted the st george flag as our own thats what matters , that and the union flag. We should be proud to fly our countries flag. What would happen if americans were told they cannot fly the stars & stripes as it might offend immigrants ??šŸ¤£šŸ¤£

Re: Flag in Square - Jen (30th Aug 2025  11:18:57) @Resident - it's not that immigrants are "offended" by the flying of the St George's flag, although they might find it very intimidating given what it has come to represent (ie racism, hatred, bigotry, violence etc). It's rather the silent majority of us UK citizens who are offended/upset/irritated by the appropriation of the said flag by far right activists. It is no longer possible for anyone to put up a St George's flag without it being interpreted as an anti-immigration, anti-"foreigners" statement.

Re: Flag in Square - Sam (30th Aug 2025  16:21:47) 100% agreed, but the yanks donā€™t put their flags on the traffic lights nor do they paint them over critical elements of traffic direction / control. Fly a billion flags, but STOP putting them over traffic lights and STOP painting them on property you donā€™t own.

Re: Flag in Square - passfield resident (30th Aug 2025  19:39:27) Well explained Jen

Re: Flag in Square - Scott (30th Aug 2025  20:32:18) Hi Jen I totally understand and agree with your point. So why not as the silent majority speak up and be proud of all the good things we are capable of. Out number and dilute the views and feelings of the far right and extremist further right. Reappropriate and take back the ownership of the national flags for a more positive, enlightened meaning. The press love the "aggravation", it makes and sells news and they need every level of it to fill the 24/7 stations and media platforms, but all of it is managed and pumped out and played along with by people who have an agenda, and not a nice one. If people just keep banging the negativity drum and knocking everything we've come to call England and remain silent whilst loud voiced very strong political leaders and followers have their say literally everywhere and all day its partly the silent "majorities" fault for not responding. Major issues need to be sorted and soon. Lets not let the scales tip so far the other way though that we'll be led by leaders with an ear and foot firmly in the far right camp. Its not at all racist to fly the flag, be it the Countries or the Union. Its a mark of respect to our forefathers and historical tradition of which should continue. We are English and part of The United Kingdom. And that comes with a great feeling of pride. But people must speak up an be counted. You can be patriotic and fly the flag if you wish and still enjoy the amazing diversity this country offers. I applaud it and wholeheartedly enjoy it. Don't wither in silence just because they shout loud and angrily.

Re: Flag in Square - pete (2nd Sep 2025  16:21:53) It's impossible to argue with the Liphook cat ladies...

Re: Flag in Square - Scott (2nd Sep 2025  19:03:17) 3 days to reply to the last post on the topic and thats it is it Pete.....Pretty catty yourself dear, back at yašŸ˜‰

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