Article published in the Hilton and Dove Valley Magazine – October 2025

August is usually a quiet month for local news. But there was one topic that dominated the discussion this summer – flags. Whether on lampposts, at the entrances to Hilton and along The Mease, or on a few garden poles across the village, the display of the St George’s Cross and the Union flag sparked a great deal of debate, especially online.

For some, the sight of our national flags has been uplifting. A proud reminder of who we are, the history we share, and the values we stand for as a nation. Many residents have spoken warmly of how the flags brought back memories of royal Jubilees or major football tournaments, when people came together in joy and celebration.

For others, the sudden appearance of flags alongside roads and gateways to the village made them feel uncomfortable. This was because elsewhere in the country our national flags were being linked with political protests about immigration. Perhaps understandably, it was the timing of the flags being displayed that caused unease, rather than the flags themselves.

Personally, I can see both sides. I am the son and grandson of Ugandan-Asian refugees who, in 1972, fled to Britain – as the former colonial power – after being expelled by Idi Amin, who had risen to power in a wave of nationalist euphoria.

Thanks to the freedom and opportunity they found in Britain, my parents and grandparents were able to work hard and build a new life. As I got older, this became part of my motivation for getting involved in politics – to engage in public service and give back to this incredible country. Today, I keep a Union flag on my desk in my home office as a daily reminder of the gratitude and sense of belonging I feel as a British citizen.

When I saw flags being displayed around Hilton over the summer, I understood the sense of pride and patriotism that must have motivated those who put them up. Equally, I understood how some people may have felt unsettled seeing flags appear unexpectedly, outside the context of a national celebration.

We should recognise that both perspectives can be simultaneously valid. We can rightly be proud of our national heritage, and respectful of the values and traditions that made this country great. And we can also appreciate the need to keep our shared public spaces welcoming, inclusive, and well-kept. Quite apart from anything else, flags affixed to lampposts with cable ties will soon become weathered and frayed once the autumn rains arrive.

Above all, we must resist the temptation to become divided. Here in Hilton and the surrounding villages, we are a growing, diverse community of educated, hardworking people – individuals and families living in peace and harmony, and enjoying the many benefits that come with being in such beautiful green villages: clean streets, safe neighbourhoods, quiet evenings peppered by the sounds of birds, and children playing in the distance. The very same children for whom we want to protect the character of our village and the quality of life we have been blessed with.

We have a lot more that unites us than divides us in Hilton. For this reason, I shall be writing to Hilton Parish Council with a suggestion: that two new permanent flagpoles be established in proximity to Hilton Village Hall to fly the St George’s Cross and the Union flag throughout the year.

By doing this, we can make our national flags a unifying feature in our community. A subtle, dignified message that we – the residents of Hilton – are proud of our country, proud of our village, and proud of the shared future we continue to build in this kind, welcoming community.

And in that spirit, I’d like to wish everyone a very happy Diwali, and a fun and spooky Halloween! As always, please don’t hesitate to get in touch if I can help with anything.

Cllr Sundip Meghani