Colchester mum told to take down flags mourning late daughter, Erin, by the council
After discussions, the council will now recognise them as a memorial, thus exempt from the usual regulations.
Helen Sadler was left devastated when the council forced her to take down flags in memory of her late daughter- as they were considered "advertisements" under current legislation.
Helen's father had put up flag posts depicting pictures of Erin's face (see above), before the council approached them to take it down.
Helen complained, and- after a discussion with Colchester City Council- they came to a resolution.
The flags will now be treated as a memorial and exempt from the usual regulations.
Her daughter, Erin, died aged nine in December 2022, after a life-long battle with blood, kidney, liver and heart disease.
We spoke to Helen, who said: "I was told Erin's flags were deemed as advertising- I was so shocked by this.
"We needed approval to fly them, and the costs would be £578 for an application and there was no guarantee of approval.
"Erin isn't an advert."
During her life, Erin Sadler was diagnosed with heart, kidney and liver disease, chronic inflammatory bowel disease, severe hypertension, vasculitis, and an autoimmune disease.
She had more than 100 blood transfusions, battled sepsis, and, in 2019, suffered a major heart attack which saw her heart stop beating for 16 minutes.
But despite all her challenges, she maintained "a zest for life and the ability to inspire", according to her devoted parents.
She captured the hearts of many across Essex, inspiring vicars in the region to wear diamonte sparkling dog collars instead of the traditional white ones.
Helen went on to say: "The flags are important to us, and for those who think it's an unhealthy way of grieving- grieving for a child isn't healthy.
"It destroys you, it changes you- you're forced to have an existence that you didn't want. You want to be with your child, you want to see them meet all their milestones; have their first date, a driving lesson, their first disco.
"It does change you."
"I'm not frustrated with those who criticise, but those who grieve are entitled to grieve as they can, because they are just trying to survive."
Under current governmental legislation- which is covered by the national advertisement regulation- some flags can be flown without express consent, such as national flags, which are listed in Schedule 1 of the regulations.
Other flags may have deemed consent under Schedule 3.
She told us how much the flags mean to grandad, who now proudly flies them in his garden on Ipswich Road: "When we discovered the extent of Erin's complex health, I was aware I wouldn't be able to return to work.
"My father said "come home"- so, Erin and I returned to the family home and that is where she grew up.
"Grandad has been an absolute constant in her life for support, care, affection, everything- their relationship was beautiful."
You can join the Facebook group set up by Helen in dedication to Erin and support for the Rainbow Trust (see below) here: https://www.facebook.com/erinthewarriorandherzestforlife
Helen wrote in a post on the 'Erin the Warrior and her Zest for Life' group: "The outcome is that Erin’s Memorial Flags have been re-categorised as 'Exempt' for our household.
"The compromise for us, that to meet the requirements of the government policy, is to reduce the number of standing flags poles from 2 to 1, which I have agreed to implement in the next 14 days.
"The most important matter was for Erin’s flags to remain, although a huge amount of tears were shed in this household this weekend I’m going to try a do what Erin always did; focus the silver lining which is without doubt the affection, admiration and community spirit that she can still raise in the amazing people of Colchester."
A spokesperson for Colchester City Council said: “We understand that this has been a distressing time for Mrs Sadler and her family, and we offer our sincere condolences for their loss.
“We are pleased to confirm that we have found a solution to this matter.
"The flags commemorating Mrs Sadler’s daughter will be treated as a memorial and therefore exempt from the usual advertisement regulations.
“Regarding the national flags, we can confirm that the property is permitted to erect a single flagpole on the property frontage and a second on the building itself to fly a maximum of two national flags without requiring further permission.
"We have consequently asked the family to consider how they wish to proceed.
"As there are currently four flags and multiple poles, this number will need to be reduced to two.
“We are pleased to have reached a resolution that respects the family’s wishes while adhering to the necessary regulations.”