Flag flies high after protests

The Union Flag will be flown for the Jubilee celebrations

A south Wales town council which refused to fly the Union flag for the Queen Mother's funeral has conceded to local pressure and agreed to hoist the flag for the Jubilee celebrations.

Former Glynneath Mayor Lindis Pritchard caused a storm of protests last month after ordering the flag to be taken down the day before the funeral.

There was no need for all this hassle, it is what we should have done naturally

Gerald Harries Glynneath chamber of trade

The Plaid Cymru member argued it was the policy of the council to only fly the Welsh flag.

The council subsequently voted not to fly the flag for the Jubilee next month but was forced to reverse its decision after a protest petition signed by more than 700 local people.

Secretary of the Glynneath Chamber of Trade, Gerald Harries, said: "It is marvellous news that the Union Flag will be flown - it is all we have ever wanted.

"There was no need for all this hassle, it is what we should have done naturally."

The row began after town hall staff hoisted the flag to half-mast from the official flagpole as a mark of respect to the Queen Mother.

Hundreds signed a protest petition

But Mrs Pritchard, who was mayor at the time, said she had been badly advised when she first agreed to allow the Union Flag to be put up.

She ordered for it to be brought down but later resigned from her post after a public outcry over the decision.

The flag snub angered war veterans and tradesmen and led to protests by members of the British Legion People in Glynneath during the monthly council meeting.

In March, the town council - made up of 13 Plaid Cymru members and one independent councillor - decided against flying the flag as part of the Queen's Jubilee celebrations.

However, they voted unanimously for a change of policy after the petition was handed in to the new mayor David Pugh.

A spokesman for the council said: "We are always willing to listen to the feelings of the people of Glynneath."

The flag will now fly above the town hall until the end of June.