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Editor’s seafront flag appeal is flying high

A regional magazine editor has thanked readers for an “overwhelming response” to his publication’s annual flag appeal.

Every year The Worthing Journal asks its readers to donated Union, England, Scotland, Wales, and Sussex standards to decorate the town’s pier and promenade.

In the space of a mere five weeks, flags costing almost £2,000 have been donated to The Worthing Journal’s cause, with even more pledged to follow.

Since the appeal was originally launched over 10 years ago, flags totaling £19,500 have been bought.

Journal editor, Paul Holden, who started the appeal when he was editor of the now defunct Worthing Sentinel, said: “The response has once again been fantastic. If Journal readers didn’t fill the flagpoles, then nobody would.

“I set the ball rolling by purchasing a Sussex flag, and readers who are equally proud of Worthing rallied around and put their hands in their pockets.

“All flags have to be of Royal Navy standard to survive the summer in such an exposed location.

“By way of thanks donors are given a mention in The Journal’s flag appeal roll of honour.”

In addition, Paul has also managed to secure an additional £1,500 in sponsorship from local water company Southern water, which will help to pay for very patriotic red, white and blue bunting which will be strung along the town’s central promenade.

At the end of May, dozens of Worthing Journal readers will also descend on the seafront in order to plant beautiful coloured blooms in around 40 neglected flower beds.

“The Big Plant Out,” as it is known, follows hard on the heels of last year’s extremely successful Guerrilla Gardening Campaign, organised by The Worthing Journal in conjunction with the Worthing Town Centre Initiative (TCI).

Paul was so appalled by the state of the town’s run down flower beds that he enlisted the help of Journal readers to remove weeds and plant flowers in a “People Power” offensive, which put cost-cutting Worthing Borough Council to shame.

Community groups, The Journal, community groups, local companies, shops, and individuals have all adopted a flower bed each, and cash prizes will be awarded for the very best garden designs.