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Flagmaster archive upgraded

We’ve just upgraded issues 1 to 116, so it’s easier than ever to explore the Flagmaster archive. Flagmaster brings you over half a century of flag research, news and expertise, all in fully searchable PDFs to view or download. Compatible with translation or text-to-speech software so you can change language or listen if you prefer. […]

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Shows the Wales flag

Wales wins the World Cup (of flags) 2022

Wales wins the World Cup of Flags 2022! The Red Dragon crushed mighty Brazil, grabbing 93.5 per cent of the votes. ‘Wales wins. We salute you,’ tweeted exhausted competition host Bernard Muscat. ‘Long may your glorious flag fly free across valleys and over mountain tops.’ 1000s of votes were cast in the month-long Twitter poll, […]

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Who will win the World Cup of Flags 2022?

The second edition of the Flag Institute’s World Cup of Flags launches Friday 28 October on Twitter. Using the same groups drawn by FIFA in April, Twitter users will be able to vote for their favourite flags from those representing countries competing in the menโ€™s football World Cup 2022 in Qatar. People will be able […]

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Robin Ashburner

Robin Ashburner

We heard with great sorrow of the death of Robin Ashburner. Not only was Robin a past President and our honorary vice-President. By his ‘sheer bloody-mindedness’, he saved the FI after the sudden death of our founder, Dr William Crampton. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones. A full obituary will follow in […]

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2021 AGM & Winter Conference – eat in or takeaway

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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Badge of the March Pursuivant - a red lion rampant with red rose and gold coronet

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 […]

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Flags of the UK's historic counties fly in Parliament Square, 23 July 2021

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 […]

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John Vaughan received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in June 2021

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 […]

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House of Commons flag: a yellow portcullis below a coronet on a green field

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 […]

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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. […]

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