A PUB boss who had to replace a union flag stolen from outside his inn is counting the cost of his patriotism after the thieves returned for his flagpole.
Mike French had to buy a new British flag when his last one disappeared – to be replaced with a saltire – during the last Scottish elections.
Now the flag has been stolen again from outside the Old Mill Inn at Maryculter near Aberdeen – as well as the £2,000 pole.
Mr French, who owns the Old Mill with Vic Sang and Mr Sang’s mother, Audrey, said a gang calling themselves the Society for Removing Union Jacks from Scotland had left a note at the spot where the 32ft pole used to stand at the front of the hotel.
“It would be quite funny if it wasn’t for the cost,” he said.
“It will take a while to replace because the poles are made in Glasgow.
“This happened in 2007 when the Scottish elections were being held.
Conservative
“They just stole the flag that time and replaced it with a £30 saltire.
“The police seemed to think they did it because we were hosting the Western Aberdeenshire Conservative dinner on Saturday night.”
Mr French believes the theft must have taken a lot of planning.
He said: “It must have been quite a large operation to remove a pole of that size. It couldn’t have been done by kids. They must have had a lorry to take away the pole.”
And he insisted the flag was not a political statement.
“We are trying to encourage more British visitors to come to the hotel.
“At the other side of the building we fly the Scottish flag, we are not trying to exclude anyone from coming here.”
A police spokesman said: “We can confirm that Mr French reported a theft from his property and inquiries are ongoing in relation the issue.”(Press & Journal 22/2)
Well Mr French, if you or anyone else is interested please visit our link to see our flagpoles on offer. And we can even give you a flag with that too!
http://www.worldflagshop.co.uk/acatalog/Flag_Poles.html
Recent Comments