Dad Spends 6 Hours Painting St. George Cross On House After Flag Torn Down
Peak unemployment over in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Notts, as a dad who had an England flag torn down from his garden decided to go “one better” by painting a giant St. George’s Cross on the front of his house.
Simon Brocklehurst, 41, was left fuming when his flag was ripped down, and so spent six hours painting a massive 6m (19ft) x 7m (22ft) England flag on the front of his four bedroom home.
He probably should have used a bigger roller – it wouldn’t have taken 6 hours then:
On his patriotic gesture, Simon astutely pointed out: “They can’t rip this one down.
“I had a flag flying on a pole but these people came along and ripped it down from my garden.
“They were accusing me of being racist, which I’m really not, I’ve just always been proud of my country.
“I had a St George’s cross flying years ago but the council told me to remove it in case it offended somebody, it’s just not right.
“But now all these flags are going back up everywhere and are allowed so I decided to erect mine in the front garden again.
“I actually heard the people ripping it down and saw them running off down the street – so I thought I would go one better and they can’t rip this one down.
“It took me about six hours over three days and I plan to turn it into the Union Flag. I haven’t heard anything from the council yet but I’m expecting I might.
“But it’s my home so I should be allowed to paint it like this if I want. I’ve always been a ‘go big or go home’ kind of bloke.
“On social media I seem to be getting a lot of hate and abuse for it but in real-life most people seem to love it.
“Cars go past honking their horns and giving me a thumbs up. People are saying ‘good on you’ and respond really well.
“But some English people calling me disgusting, I wouldn’t be surprised if I get a brick through the window or something.
“It’s mainly on Facebook where I seem to be getting stick for it – but everyone is entitled to their opinions.
“That is what the flag represents, without this flag you wouldn’t have freedom of speech, so I respect their right to say what they want about it.
“But we shouldn’t be treated like criminals just for flying our flag, over in the USA they do so with pride.
“It is part of our heritage and should be celebrated. It represents the freedom my grandfather fought in the Second World War for.
“I know some on the far right have been weaponising the flag to suit their agenda, but that is really not what I am trying to do.
“It’s a sign of being proud of the country where I am from.”
Is Simon trying to make a political point, at all? Of course not.
The dad-of-three went on: “I’m not really trying to make this political at all.
“I’ve just always seen the St George’s Cross and the Union Jack as a sign of hope.
“I appreciate it might not be everyone’s cup of tea – but I think it looks great.”
Well, that’s fair enough really. I’m not sure how much his neighbours will appreciate it but I guess that might depend on whether it tanks the value of every building in the vicinity. Which would actually make Simon a sort of millennial hero? We’ll have to see how it plays out.
For the ‘British patriot’ who completely lost the plot after a police officer refused to shake his hand at a protest recently, click HERE.
