| Flag Type: | Regional Flag |
|---|---|
| Flag Date: | 23rd May 2013 |
| Flag Designer: | Michael Faul |
| Adoption Route: | Public Vote |
| UK Design Code: | UNKG7435 |
| Aspect Ratio: | 3:5 |
| Pantone® Colours: | White, Red 186, Cream 617, Green 368/370, Yellow 109/116 |
| Certification: | Flag Institute Chief Vexillologist, Graham Bartram |
| Notes: | The West Riding Flag is a community flag proclaiming the unique identity of this historic riding of Yorkshire. The flag shows the cross of St. George, the historic symbol of England, with the vertical band off-centre to the left, in the format adopted by most Scandinavian countries. This reflects Yorkshire’s Anglo-Scandinavian heritage, the county having been settled and ruled by Norwegians and Danes in the C8th & C9th as well as focussing the design on the hoist, westernmost, side. Placed at the centre of the cross is the traditional white rose of Yorkshire, in use since the fourteenth century, shown against a blazing sun, a heraldic combination known as a “rose-en-soleil”. The same combination of “rose en soleil” device and red and white colours appeared in the arms of the former West Riding Council of 1889-1974. The flag was chosen by a public vote, following a competition to design a flag for the West Riding which was launched on Wednesday 23rd January 2013 with the Dalesman Magazine. Six designs were selected from numerous entries, by a panel of judges, for everyone to vote for their favourite design. |
