Congratulations Croydon

by Sarah-Jane Hollands, Croydon Correspondant.
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Imagine my surprise and delight, upon receiving the latest edition of Croydon Reports (Croydon Council's newsletter) yesterday, when I was flicking through the usual plethora of council spun apologies and excuses and stumbled upon the following article:

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'White Ensign Flies On Town Hall.

Naval flag raised to mark Battle of Trafalgar bicentenary.

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The 200th anniversary of Lord Nelson's victory at the Battle of Trafalgar was marked in Croydon with the raising of the White Ensign at the town hall.

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In the presence of the Mayor of Croydon, Councillor Maggie Mansell, and Captain Robert Avis, the Assistant Deputy Lieutenant, members of Croydon's Sea Cadets raised the Royal Navy's premier flag from the balcony overlooking Katherine Street.

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The White Ensign is traditionally only flown from ships or premises of the Royal Navy but special dispensation was given by the Office of the First Sea Lord for the flag to be flown in Croydon in honour of the historic event.

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Guests at the event included two of Croydon's MPs, Malcolm Wicks and Richard Ottaway; Councillor Tony Newman, the leader of the council; Councillor Ian Atkins; cabinet members and former councillors.'

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As a person who is usually quick to criticise my local free-spending, backward thinking council, may I just say I think this is splendid and that I am delighted with this acknowledgement to history.

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Now perhaps you could have a word with the education department and let's get proper history back in the classrooms.

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Croydon Town Hall, left.