The Union Flag now flies at Berwick War Memorial. The Mayor and veteran Mark Dryden raised it on 17 October; the town council will look after the new pole.

The Union Flag was raised at Berwick War Memorial on the morning of Saturday 17 October, on a new flagpole installed by Northumberland County Council.

The Mayor of Berwick-upon-Tweed, Councillor Jane Turton, raised it alongside local veteran Mark Dryden, with piper Lt Col K H Montgomery DL playing. The ceremony was held, in the words of the organisers, to honour those serving now, those who have served, those who never returned, and the widows and families left behind.

Berwick Town Council has agreed to look after the flagpole, so the flag will keep flying at the memorial.

The Union Flag at the top of a tall white flagpole beside Berwick War Memorial, with a figure in purple civic robes at the foot of the pole and a line of people watching from the pavement
The Union Flag going up at Berwick War Memorial, watched by veterans and residents. Photo: supplied by Cllr Nicole Brooke

“Something permanent and meaningful”

The flagpole was a project led by Nicole Brooke, the county councillor for Berwick North, with the support of Berwick-upon-Tweed Town Council.

“We wanted something permanent and meaningful for Berwick, in honour of everyone who has made sacrifices for our country, including the families who have given so much,” she said.

“Seeing people from across our community come together today was incredibly special. This is about our town, our history and the people who make Berwick what it is.”

A piper in a green tweed jacket and kilt beside the Union Flag, with civic officers in robes and chains of office, veterans in berets and a woman in a dark suit
The piper and the civic party beside the Union Flag at the memorial. Photo: supplied by Cllr Nicole Brooke

“Draped over the coffins of those who never came home”

For Mark Dryden, raising it was personal.

“I’ve served under this flag and seen it draped over the coffins of those who never came home,” he said. “Today, I raise it in their honour, so their sacrifice is never forgotten.”

The Mayor thanked Cllr Brooke for bringing the project to fruition and the county council for installing the pole.

“This memorial is a place where we remember those who gave their lives in service to our country and reflect on the sacrifices made by them and their families,” Cllr Turton said. “The new flagpole is a fitting addition to this important place in our town.”

Two people in civic robes, one purple and fur-trimmed, talking with men in berets and regimental hackles, one wearing medals, outside a stone church
The civic party talking with veterans before the ceremony. Photo: supplied by Cllr Nicole Brooke

Who was there

Those attending included representatives of:

  • the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and the Berwick Fusiliers Club
  • the King’s Own Scottish Borderers
  • the Coldstream Guards
  • Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service
  • Berwick Civic Society, Berwick Chamber of Commerce and Berwick Rotary
  • Berwick Town Council and the civic party

Councillor Isabel Hunter also attended. Cllr Brooke thanked everyone who came and everyone who supported the project.

A piper in a kilt holding bagpipes standing beside a woman in a dark suit near the railings of Berwick War Memorial
Piper Lt Col K H Montgomery DL at Berwick War Memorial. Photo: supplied by Cllr Nicole Brooke

What it means for you

The memorial now has a permanent flagpole, and Berwick Town Council is responsible for keeping the flag flying there from here. The next big occasion at memorials across the county is Remembrance Sunday on 8 November: our Northumberland Remembrance Sunday guide carries parade times as each town publishes them.

The flagpole follows the raising of the town’s own bear and tree flag at Newfields on 13 October, another project Cllr Brooke led. If your group in Berwick has a ceremony or event coming up, send us your news.

The Union Flag flying from a white flagpole with a gold finial against a blue sky and white cloud, above a row of rooftops
The Union Flag flying at Berwick War Memorial. Photo: supplied by Cllr Nicole Brooke