| Flag Type: | Town Flag |
|---|---|
| Flag Date: | 14th July 2013 |
| Flag Designer: | Dr David Peacock, Bella Davies & Dermot de Courcy Robinson |
| Adoption Route: | Town Council |
| UK Design Code: | UNKG7521 |
| Aspect Ratio: | 3:5 |
| Pantone® Colours: | Blue 286, Red 186, Yellow 109, White |
| Certification: | Flag Institute Chief Vexillologist, Graham Bartram |
| Notes: | The Newbury Flag is a community flag proclaiming the unique identity of this Berkshire town. Upper left is Newbury Castle, besieged by King Stephen in 1152 AD. It stood reputedly in the Wharf area of the town, although no evidence of this survives. Various depictions have appeared since 1599, normally showing three domed towers. Top right is a teasel, evoking a famous name and trade in Newbury’s history. John Winchcombe (c. 1489—1557 AD), ‘the most considerable clothier England ever beheld’, used teasels in wool-combing and cloth finishing. Lower left is a ‘garb’ or wheatsheaf symbolising the rich agricultural history of the Newbury area. The town dealt in horses, cattle and cheese and built a Corn Exchange (1862) to handle its significant grain trade. Lower right are two crossed basket-hilt mortuary swords*, marking the two Civil War battles fought around Newbury. These took place around Wash Common and Enborne (1643) and in and around Shaw and Speen (1644). The wavy blue line running across the centre of the flag represents the river Kennet. Newbury was an important crossing point from earliest times and later became a significant river and canal port. * Thanks to the Battlefields Trust and the Royal Armouries Civil War Collection (Littlecote House) for information |
