Flag of St George raised at top of St Peter's in Sudbury to provide symbol of 'life going on' during coronavirus lockdown

The flag of St George has been raised from the tower of St Peter’s in Sudbury, in the hope of providing a lift to residents, as a symbol of 'life going on' in the town during the ongoing coronavirus lockdown.

The flag is raised every year atop the town centre landmark to coincide with St George’s Day, which takes place today.

It has been donated annually, for many years, by Sudbury resident Pauline Hume, and has been raised up by her son, Guy Hume, who works for Sudbury Office Supplies.

A new flag is required every year, because they take a battering from the high winds and become ragged and tattered after six months of flying high.

The St George cross is the only flag allowed to be flown from church buildings in England and will fly at the top of St Peter’s tower – one of the highest points in Sudbury – until November, when it will be taken down in advance of Remembrance Day.

Speaking this week, Peter Gray, chairman of the Friends of St Peter’s, said: “St Peter’s stands proud in the very centre of Sudbury and it feels appropriate to fly the flag whatever may be happening in the world.

“Even though many people will not be able to get out into the town at the moment, perhaps some of them may be able to see St Peter’s from their homes and take some comfort from this small gesture of civic pride.”