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Canterbury City Council apologises for Armed Forces Day flagpole farce - as Canterbury fire station comes to rescue

Red-faced council officials have apologised after a ceremony to mark Armed Forces Day on Saturday morning almost flopped.

Because despite the Lord Mayor's attendance at the event in the Dane John Gardens, Canterbury, the authority forgot to "unlock" the flagpole.

Veterans from the Royal British Legion, including standard bearers and reservists from 3 PWRR, who had gathered for the event, feared it may have to be abandoned until Canterbury Fire Station stepped in to save the day.

Gerry Ferrett, Lord Mayor Cllr Terry Westgate, British Legion members and guests with the Armed Forces Day flag raised at Canterbury Fire Station on Saturday. Picture: Chris Davey. (13154090)
Gerry Ferrett, Lord Mayor Cllr Terry Westgate, British Legion members and guests with the Armed Forces Day flag raised at Canterbury Fire Station on Saturday. Picture: Chris Davey. (13154090)

It has its own flag pole where the ceremony used to take place before the one in the Dane John was erected for civic and special commemorations last year.

So the ceremonial party was able to relocate to the station for the flag-raising to take place.

Writing on Facebook, veteran John Bishop: "We felt a bit let down by whoever was responsible for this shambles.

"Armed Forces Day is obviously not a high priority in Canterbury."

Those present as the Armed Forces Day flag was raised at Canterbury Fire Station on Saturday. Picture: Chris Davey. (13154133)
Those present as the Armed Forces Day flag was raised at Canterbury Fire Station on Saturday. Picture: Chris Davey. (13154133)

The special day, marked in towns and cities up and down the country, offers a chance for the public to show their support for the men and women of the Armed Forces community, either currently serving troops to service families, veterans and cadets.

But it faltered when veterans found they couldn't use the pole to raise the armed forces day flag as planned.

The pole is kept 'locked' when not in use but the city council was well aware of the planned event, having been part of its organisation and even publicised the ceremony on its website.

Gerry Ferrett with Lord Mayor Cllr Terry Westgate speaking after the Armed Forces Day flag was raised at Canterbury Fire Station on Saturday. Picture: Chris Davey. (13154131)
Gerry Ferrett with Lord Mayor Cllr Terry Westgate speaking after the Armed Forces Day flag was raised at Canterbury Fire Station on Saturday. Picture: Chris Davey. (13154131)

Afterwards Canterbury Royal British Legion branch chairman Gerry Ferrett said: "Unfortunately, it didn't go as planned. We didn't even realised the flag pole would be locked, but will certainly be checking next year.

"Thankfully, the fire service came to our rescue and saved the day."

Council spokesman Leo Whitlock apologised for the mistake, saying: "We are sorry for the mix up with the flagpole in the Dane John Gardens on Saturday and want to thank everyone who was at the ceremony for their patience."

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