FLAG ISSUE COMPROMISE

Tension had been simmering in the area ahead of this year's marching season with the community seemingly divided over the number of loyalist flags to be erected throughout Ballybogey.

A number of residents - backed by Ballybogey Community Association - had sought a reduction in the number of flags this year after complaints there were too many last year.

However, those in favour of a similar display this time around had said they would not be deviating from their stance regarding the matter, as reported in the Times a fortnight ago.

A questionnaire had been drawn up seeking residents' views.

Part of it read: "We have been awarded a grant to look at some of these issues and we would like your opinion on what you would like to see this summer. Please be really honest. We need to know what the community think."

Residents were asked to return the completed forms to a local shop.

The results were revealed at a public meeting in Ballybogey Hall on Monday of last week which of 30 people attended.

Ahead of that meeting a deal looked extremely unlikely.

Indeed, a well-placed source in favour of a similar display to last year told this paper ahead of the meeting: "We have no doubt that the Association has set out with good intentions, but any reduction in flags isn't going to happen. We will be putting up quite a number during the marching season and they will be taken down after that. There will be no paramilitary flags, just flags of our country.

"There's no room for compromise on this one."

But, both sides emerged from the meeting having struck what had seemed as an unlikely deal.

An eight point strategy was agreed upon by all.

A consultation document had been put together and issued on behalf of Ballybogey Community Association.

It reads: “We circulated about 250 consultation forms and we are very pleased to be able to say that 107 completed forms or 43% of the total were returned.

“About a third of people who completed the survey wanted the number of flags to stay the same, but twice as many wanted to see a significant reduction in the flags along the main road.

“A total of 71 or 66% of the forms returned made it clear that a reduction in the flags flying along the main road would be welcomed and over 10% of people who responded had as their first choice no flags flying on the main road.”

A summary of first choices on the document showed 33% of people in favour of the flags being erected in the same way as last year but 66% wanting change.

However the 66% was an amalgamation of results, meaning the 33% was the largest group.

9% wanted less flags on the main road, 11% did not want flags on the main road, 12% wanted one flag on the way into the village and one on the way out of the village, 13% wanted just one flag on a designated police and no other flags.

Finally, 25% said they would like to see only one flag pole at the bonfire site and no other flags on the road.

Among the conditions agreed on by both sides were the erection of flags from July 1 until August 31.

Three flags will be flown in the park area in July - the Union Jack, Ulster flag and Orange Standard.

As well as this just two flags will be erected at the entrance into private housing estates in the village. A permanent flagpole will also be erected and all torn flags will be removed.