A SUGGESTION has been made that a flagpole should be installed at The Prospect for use at ceremonial and civic events.

At last week’s Ross-on-Wye Town Council’s community markets and tourism subcommittee meeting, Cllr Ed O’Driscoll pointed out that The Prospect has been used for numerous ceremonial events in recent years, the death of Queen Elizabeth, King Charles’ Coronation and D Day commemorations and all the Beacon lighting events.

Cllr O’Driscoll added: “The area has become a major gathering point for the community on these occasions. However, there is something missing at these events and that is a flagpole.

“I believe that a good location for this is close to the railings. It has been suggested that instead of Ross Town Council taking of the financial responsibility, it should be in the form of subscription, or crowd funding, as were many of the things John Kyrle introduced to the town during his lifetime.

“This would mean that the community could take ownership of the flagpole. Obviously, we would need to establish if planning permission is needed. Even if it does, I can’t see it being a problem as we already have the beacon installed.

“I believe there is a section of the local community who would welcome a flagpole at The Prospect.

“I’m just happy to float the idea and see what members thought of the idea.”

The members debated on how often the flagpole would be flying a flag with the consensus being that it should only be on civic and ceremonial days.

Cllr Milly Boylan pointed out that the Beacon is rapidly suffering from being obliterated because the cliff face is becoming so overgrown, it can no longer be seen from the River Wye.

She added: “The area needs to be restored to the condition it used to be when the Beacon was installed.”

Cllr O’Driscoll added: “I would be very sympathetic to that point of view. The prospect is one of the hidden gems of Ross and we’d be missing a trick if we didn’t do anything.”

The councillors voted in favour of seeking planning permission for a flagpole from the local authority.