Dorchester flying the flag for the World Cup

After a successful and popular move to decorate the county town with flags from all over the world during the 2012 Olympics, the flags have been added once again to mark this summer’s Commonwealth Games as well as the football World Cup.

The move comes about after successful work between Dorchester Town Council, the Dorchester Bid and town crier Alistair Chisholm.

Around 100 flags will be flying in the town after volunteers took to ladders at the weekend to help put them up.

Town councillor David Taylor said: “Once again we have risen to the challenge to bring the flags back to Dorchester in time for the Dorchester Festival, which starts on Thursday.”

He added that the initiative had also received support from the local NHS, police and the county town branch of Waitrose.

Mayor of Dorchester Stella Jones said the flags had been popular with residents and visitors alike during the Olympics and there had already been positive feedback about their return.

She said: “It was very popular and we have already had some very positive comments about how it makes High East Street look so much more cheerful.

“I think it’s brilliant that the Bid, the Town Council and everybody is working together to make Dorchester a brighter and more cheerful place.”

Deputy chairman of the Dorchester Bid Sian Merriott added: “We are pleased to keep it going and support and promote the town in any way we can.”

Mr Chisholm said the flags were also a recognition of the international significance of Dorchester’s history and heritage, with the county town attracting visitors from all over the world.

He said: “We have the most stunning high street in the whole of the county and to enhance it and embellish it with international flags is always a good thing.”

Mr Chisholm added: “It also emphasises that what Dorchester has in terms of heritage and history is of truly international consequence.”

Cllr Taylor said: “It makes an attractive doorway to Dorchester to welcome people to the town.”