‘Let our history flutter in the wind’

A campaign has started to fly the Renfrew Burgh flag on top of Renfrew Town Hall once again.

I t ’s the fairy tale centrepiece of the old county seat, yet nothing currently flies proudly from it to signify the illustrious past.

The town’s Tory councillor Jane Strang has lodged a formal request with Renfrewshire Council to hoist the coat of arms crest.

Councillor Strang said there is strong feeling in Renfrew that the status of the Royal Burgh should be boosted.

She said: “Constituents have taken issue that the flag is not being flown.

“I have now taken this up with council officials and hope they will listen to this request.

“The town hall is at the heart of Renfrew and it would be excellent to see our history fluttering in the wind once more.”

There are three flag poles - usually flying the Union Flag, St Andrew’s Cross and the soon- to- be redundant European flag.

Renfrew Town Hall was completed in the French Gothic style in 1873, on the same site as the original of 1670.

The town hall was home to the volunteers of Renfrew Community Council, but was the seat of government of the Royal Burgh of Renfrew until 1975.

The building continued to be home to Renfrew District Council until 1996.

The old flag features the coat of arms, which includes a sailing boat, highlighting the town’s once prolific shipbuilding.

Renfrew gained royal burgh status in 1397 as the ‘Cradle of the Royal Stewarts’.

Councillor Strang, who represents Renfrew North and Braehead, added: I hope people who have been contacting me recently about the issue will be listened to inside council chambers.

“It will allow us to proudly fly the Royal Burgh flag once again.”