Flag to fly again at Memorial Bridge

FLAG DONATION: Friends of Anzac Bridge members Glenys Hansen, left, and Lynette Dewes meet Adele Pentony-Graham to collect a flag donated to replace stolen one. PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

A kind donation will see the New Zealand flag flying again above the Anzac Memorial Bridge in Kaiparoro.

On Tuesday Clareville woman Adele Pentony-Graham donated a flag to the Friends of Anzac Bridge society after thieves stole the flag that had been flying next to the bridge, marking the 100th anniversary of the death of the bridge builder's son, Victor Falkner.

The thieves who stole the flag and halyard in September were never caught and the flag has never been returned.

Ms Pentony-Graham said she wanted to help the group after reading the Wairarapa Times-Age story about the theft.

"I was sad when I read that some low-life had pinched it. If I get hold of them they wouldn't be able to sit down for a month of Sundays."

She had unearthed a flag she believed belonged to her husband, who had worked for the Harbour Board.

"I wanted it to go to a good home and I research soldiers anyway so what better place than Anzac Bridge?"

Friends of Anzac Memorial Bridge membership secretary Lynette Dewes said it was great to receive the offer of help.

"It was great. It was really, really exciting - I didn't feel so silly for leaving it up."

She had also received an offer of assistance from an owner of an Auckland flag shop, Michael Hallager, as well as donations from others in the community, Mrs Dewes said.

The donations would be put towards the upkeep of the flag and possibly repainting the flagpole.