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 men’s football World Cup 2022 in Qatar. People will be able […]
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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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
Flag Institute 2019-20 AGM
From Melbourne to Michigan, Bergen to Bavaria, the Netherlands to New York, and from all corners of the British Isles. At 7pm on Wednesday 20 January, 75 Flag Institute members gathered by their screens for the 2019-20 AGM. Thanks to everyone who attended this inaugural Zoom meeting, which also featured illustrated annual reviews from Chief […]
Happy birthday, Flag Institute!
The Flag Institute – founded on 23 April 1971 by Dr William Crampton and his band of bold vexillological pioneers – celebrates its 49th birthday today. The Institute sends its thanks and best wishes to all members, friends and colleagues. Your support over the decades is greatly appreciated. Next year, of course, will mark the […]
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Flag Days
Jul
17
Wed
2024
all-day
UK: Birthday of HM The Queen
UK: Birthday of HM The Queen
Jul 17 all-day
The Birthday of HM The Queen is listed as a flag flying day by UK government guidance. The Union Flag is specified. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/designated-days-for-union-flag-flying The Birthday of HM The Queen is also listed as a flag[...]
Jul
23
Tue
2024
all-day
Historic County Flags Day
Historic County Flags Day
Jul 23 all-day
Historic County Flags Day takes place annually on 23 July, giving an opportunity for individuals and organisations to show pride in their historic county. The date commemorates the creation of the Devon Flag (2002), triggering[...]
Jul
27
Sat
2024
all-day
Norfolk Day
Norfolk Day
Jul 27 all-day
Norfolk Day takes place annually on 27 July. Local media initiated the day, first celebrated in 2018.
Jul
29
Mon
2024
all-day
Buckinghamshire Day: Inaugural P...
Buckinghamshire Day: Inaugural P...
Jul 29 all-day
Buckinghamshire Day marks the origin of the Paralympic Games. On the opening day of the London Olympics (1948), Stoke Mandeville Hospital hosted the first event ever organised for disabled athletes alongside an Olympic Games. The[...]
Aug
1
Thu
2024
all-day
Yorkshire Day: Anniversary of Ba...
Yorkshire Day: Anniversary of Ba...
Aug 1 all-day
Yorkshire Day began in 1975 as a celebration launched by the Yorkshire Ridings Society – newly formed ‘a protest movement against the local government re-organisation of 1974’ – to promote the county of Yorkshire. The[...]
Aug
15
Thu
2024
all-day
Scotland: Birthday of the Prince...
Scotland: Birthday of the Prince...
Aug 15 all-day
The birthday of the Princess Royal is an official flag flying day only in Scotland, not in the rest of the UK. https://www.gov.scot/publications/flag-flying-on-government-buildings/
Aug
22
Thu
2024
all-day
North Riding Day: Battle of the ...
North Riding Day: Battle of the ...
Aug 22 all-day
North Riding Day takes place annually on 22 August. It marks the date of the battle of the Standard (1138), when English forces defeated the Scots near Northallerton. The name of the battle derives from[...]
Aug
24
Sat
2024
all-day
East Riding Day: Birthday of Wil...
East Riding Day: Birthday of Wil...
Aug 24 all-day
East Riding Day takes place annually on 24 August. It marks the birthday of Hull-born MP William Wilberforce (1759–1833), leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade.
