In-person meetings return on Saturday 20 November, when we gather for the 2021 AGM and Winter Conference – held from 10am to 5pm at the People’s History Museum, Manchester. Everyone is welcome at this free event but booking is essential: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/flag-institute-agm-and-winter-2021-conference-tickets-172775575397 And for the first time, flag-lovers unable to travel to Manchester can be there […]
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Philip Tibbetts joins Scotland’s Lyon Court
Congratulations to our Communities Vexillologist Philip Tibbetts on his appointment as an Officer of Arms in Scotland’s Lyon Court. On 1 September Philip became March Pursuivant Extraordinary, having served as Honorary Vexillologist to the court since 2018. His new title dates back to 1515 and pertains to the Marches, i.e the modern Dumfries and Galloway […]
County flags star in Commons debate
The county flags of England, Scotland and Wales starred in the House of Commons on Thursday 22 July. To date 52 historic counties have entered a flag in the UK Flag Registry. And to celebrate Historic County Flags Day on 23 July, the flags flew together in Parliament Square, London. Among them were newcomers Herefordshire […]
Leicestershire Flag unveiled
Congratulations to Leicestershire – the latest and last of the 39 historic English counties to enter the UK Flag Register. The new Leicestershire Flag displays a cinquefoil (five-petalled flower) above a running fox on a red-and-white-zigzag background. These traditional emblems appear throughout the county – used by towns, sports clubs and organisations alike. The fox […]
John Vaughan OAM
Life member John Vaughan is celebrating today – and with good reason. In the recent Queen’s Birthday Honours List, he receives the Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia ‘for service to vexillography and history preservation’. John is a renowned designer and maker of flags. He is a leading authority on flag history, meaning and […]
A New Flag for the House of Commons
Tuesday 11 May 2021 saw the first flying of a new flag for the House of Commons. Graham Bartram, Chief Vexillologist of the Flag Institute, designed it at the request of the Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle. The flag consists of a gold parliamentary portcullis and coronet on a field of House of Commons green. The […]
FI 50th birthday party
A grand online FI 50th birthday party will open the Flag Institute’s Golden Jubilee Year on Friday 23 April, 7pm-9.30pm. Trustees, members and special guests will share memories and views of the FI – past, present and future. And US film-maker Patrick O’Connor will be there to discuss his new documentary, Look Away, Look Away. […]
Union Flag: new official guidance
Following the publication of new official guidance, the Union flag is set to fly year round on UK Government buildings in England, Scotland and Wales. The current guidance requires only that UK Government buildings in these three countries fly the Union flag on designated days. From summer 2021, however, the Union flag will fly daily […]
More flags at UK Parliament
Flags are flying in the House of Commons precincts, an historic first that sends an ‘important message of welcome’ to all. Following a Commonwealth Day ceremony on Monday 8 March, three flagpoles now stand at ground level in New Palace Yard. The location offers much greater visibility than the existing flagpoles high on Portcullis House […]
County Durham Flag competition
The competition to select a new flag for County Durham is in full swing and has attracted some very strong designs. Full details and your chance to vote can be found here. Make sure you visit soon as voting concludes on 20 October.
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