Flag Type: | County Flag |
---|---|
Flag Date: | 16 September 2008 |
Flag Designer: | Stephen Coombes & David White |
Adoption Route: | Popular Vote |
UK Design Code: | UNKG7416 |
Aspect Ratio: | 3:5 |
Pantone® Colours: | Yellow 116, Red 186, White |
Certification: | Flag Institute Chief Vexillologist, Graham Bartram |
Notes: | The Dorset Flag is a community flag proclaiming the unique identity of this historic English county. It was chosen by public vote following a design competition organised by Dorset County Council. The winning entry displays the ‘Dorset Cross‘, also known as ‘St Wite’s Cross’. The colours of red, white and gold come from the Dorset coat of arms. The red and white also evokes England. Gold symbolises Dorset’s agricultural heritage and sandy beaches, as well as recalling notable landmarks like Golden Cap, the highest point on the Jurassic Coast, and the much-photographed Gold Hill, Shaftesbury. The colours of the Dorset Flag also have historical links. The Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Wessex has a traditional association with a golden dragon; the Dorset militia wore red coats with yellow facings during Monmouth’s Rebellion in 1685. The Dorset Cross is inclusive and non-denominational. However, it also represents St Wite – widely considered as Dorset’s patron saint. Her remains lie in the parish church of Whitchurch Canonicorum in one of only two English shrines to survive the Reformation intact. Through St Wite, the Dorset Flag thus symbolises all that is unchanging in the Dorset landscape. |
Dorset
St Wite's Cross
Search this website
Flag Days
Mar
29
Fri
2024
all-day
West Riding Day: Anniversary of ...
West Riding Day: Anniversary of ...
Mar 29 all-day
West Riding Day marks the anniversary of the battle of Towton (1461), reputedly the largest and bloodiest battle ever fought on English soil. The Yorkist forces defeated the Lancastians, leading to a change of royal[...]
Mar
30
Sat
2024
all-day
Cheshire Day: Confirmation of Ch...
Cheshire Day: Confirmation of Ch...
Mar 30 all-day
The first Cheshire Day took place in 2021. It commemorates the date when King Edward I, who was also Earl of Chester, reconfirmed a charter of liberties for the county.
Apr
9
Tue
2024
all-day
UK: Wedding Day of HM The King
UK: Wedding Day of HM The King
Apr 9 all-day
The Wedding Day of HM The King 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
Apr
16
Tue
2024
all-day
Orkney Day: Feast of St Magnus
Orkney Day: Feast of St Magnus
Apr 16 all-day
St Magnus, then Magnus Erlendsson, was Earl of Orkney (1106–c.1117). He was sanctified in 1136.
Apr
23
Tue
2024
all-day
England: St George’s Day
England: St George’s Day
Apr 23 all-day
St George’s Day is England’s national day – St George was named as England’s principal patron saint in 1416. St George’s Day is listed as a flag flying day (for England only) by UK[...]
Apr
25
Thu
2024
all-day
Huntingdonshire Day: Birthday of...
Huntingdonshire Day: Birthday of...
Apr 25 all-day
Oliver Cromwell (1599–1658) was an English statesman, politician and soldier. He was MP for his native Huntingdon (1628-9).
Apr
28
Sun
2024
all-day
International Workers’ Memorial Day
International Workers’ Memorial Day
Apr 28 all-day
International Workers’ Memorial Day is a day of remembrance and action for workers killed, disabled, injured, or made unwell by their work. It is an official flag flying day only in Scotland, not in the[...]
May
1
Wed
2024
all-day
Staffordshire Day: Anniversary o...
Staffordshire Day: Anniversary o...
May 1 all-day
Staffordshire Day commemorates the foundation date of Josiah Wedgwood and Sons (1759). The date was selected by public vote from a list that includes: 5 July – discovery of the Staffordshire Hoard (2009); 6 September[...]