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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Flag Days
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[...]
May
6
Mon
2024
all-day
UK: Coronation of HM The King
UK: Coronation of HM The King
May 6 all-day
The Coronation 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 The Coronation Day of HM The King is also listed as[...]
May
9
Thu
2024
all-day
Europe Day (European Union)
Europe Day (European Union)
May 9 all-day
Europe Day is celebrated annually on 5 May and 9 May. The European Union designates 9 May, the anniversary of the Schuman Declaration (1950). https://european-union.europa.eu/principles-countries-history/symbols/europe-day_en The Council of Europe designates 5 May, the anniversary of[...]
all-day
Guernsey: Liberation Day
Guernsey: Liberation Day
May 9 all-day
Guernsey celebrates Liberation Day (Lé Jour dé la Libératiaon in Guernsey French) annually on 9 May. The date commemorates the island’s liberation in 1945 from German occupation during the Second World War.
all-day
Jersey: Liberation Day
Jersey: Liberation Day
May 9 all-day
Jersey celebrates Liberation Day (Jour d’la Libéthâtion in Jersey French) annually on 9 May. The date commemorates the island’s liberation in 1945 from German occupation during the Second World War.
