Mayor defends flying pride flag from town's war memorial

The mayor of the Shropshire town of Bridgnorth, has had to defend the decision to fly a Pride flag from a flag pole near the war memorial, ahead of the town's Pride celebrations. Mayor of Bridgnorth, David Cooper’s response comes after a local resident (who has chosen not to be named) raised a complaint.

Pride flag flying by the War Memorial in Bridgnorth

The town's second Pride is set to take place this weekend, on Saturday 14th June. The issue of temporarily replacing the VE Day flag, that previously flew from the memorial, with a Pride flag is not due to be raised until the next Bridgnorth Town Council meeting on Tuesday – after Pride celebrations have already taken place.

The town's mayor, however, has already responded after the resident in question submitted a formal question, stating: “The Council has authorised the flying of the LGBTQ flag from the flagpole directly above the Memorial to our fallen soldiers in the two world wars of the 20th century.

“Does it not consider this inappropriate and an insult to the fallen for this country? Flying a flag in public places should represent the country or its institutions, including Bridgnorth. LGBTB [sic] is none of these. Should not the Chairman of the Committee agreeing the motion and authorising it consider his/her [sic] position?”

Despite the resident’s objections, the town's mayor explained that the decision has the full backing of the Royal British Legion; a charity providing support to British Armed Forces, veterans & their families.

Mayor Cooper explained: “The Royal British Legion issues guidance to its members and branches about Pride, as follows: 'The Rainbow Flag is a well-established symbol of support for the LGBTQIA+ community and many local authorities and civic groups will choose to fly the Rainbow Flag to mark Pride weeks and on other occasions to show solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community.

“'The RBL fully supports member and branch support for, and participation in, national and local Pride events and this includes the flying of the Rainbow Flag according to the protocols.'”

According to the Northern Ireland War Memorial, nearly 400,000 (out of some 6.5 million), Armed Forces service personnel serving between 1939 and 1945, during the Second World War, were from the LGBTQ+ community; despite the fact that it was illegal to serve in the armed forces if you were LGBTQIA+ up until 2000.

In his formal response to the resident, Mayor of Bridgnorth, David Cooper is set to say in the Town Council meeting next Tuesday: “The decision to fly the Rainbow flag in the Castle Grounds for a week in connection with Bridgnorth Pride was taken at the Town Council meeting held in May 2025 and was unanimous.

“That period has now concluded. However, we have looked at what the rules are in response to comments which have been made.

“The flying of flags is controlled by the planning system and there are various protocols adopted by the government and other bodies. The flying of national flags, including the Union Flag, local or municipal flags (including the Bridgnorth town flag) and the Armed Forces Day flag are not restricted by the planning system.

“Generally, there are conditions attached to the flying of other flags, which are regarded as advertisements, but the Rainbow flag is one which is recognised.

“The government issues guidance about the flying of flags on government buildings. They require the Union flag to be flown on specified days, but state that otherwise the union Flag should be flown on government buildings 'every day except on certain occasions when you may wish to fly other flags, including but not limited to, the national flags of the constituent nations of the United Kingdom, the Armed Forces Day flag, the Commonwealth flag, county and other local flags, and other flags which may promote civic pride'.

“Whilst the Town Council is not a government department this guidance is useful.”