Neighbours claim pensioner’s sign backing NHS ‘lowered the tone’
A BANNER supporting the NHS and key workers was taken down after its owner claimed residents complained about it.
Hilda Uren, 83, who lives in Burnage, had hung the sign from a window at her home a few weeks ago but says she was asked to take it down yesterday morning.
She says she was told by her housing provider that residents had complained about the sign, which said ‘Test, test, PPE. Keep all workers virus free’.
“I was told by the manager that they had complaints from a few people because they said the banner lowers the tone of the area,” Hilda told the M.E.N.
“I was shocked and upset when I was told. Everyone in this building has had help from the NHS at some time, but they seem to have forgotten that.”
Hilda took the sign down because she said she didn’t want to cause any upset, but has since posted about it on social media.
In the original post, Hilda said she had put the banner up to show her ‘support of all the workers at risk during this pandemic’.
She says she has lived at the property on Burnage Lane for 14 years and never had any problems before.
“I’ve put a flag out for St George’s day and a Manchester City flag when it’s a Cup final, and never had any issue with that,” she said.
“I’m not a person that anybody would really have reason to complain about. I would hope not anyway.”
The banner was designed by Hilda’s daughter Bernie, who lives in Whalley Range and is a selfemployed painter and decorator.
Her granddaughter said Hilda had put the banner up as she wanted to do something to feel involved.
“She’s felt quite helpless, considering she’s in the ‘at risk’ group and isn’t able to leave her flat,” her granddaughter said.
“She was extremely upset and in tears - I had to reassure her that she hadn’t done anything wrong.”
Hilda has also received support from local councillors in the area.
“Hilda’s banner is a fantastic display of solidarity with the NHS and all workers, and I would be proud to hang it from my window,” Burnage councillor Ben Clay told the M.E.N.
The housing provider, Onward Homes, declined to comment but did acknowledge that they had received a complaint about the banner.