West Riding Flag Unfurling – The Photos

The Civic Hall, Leeds provided a fantastic backdrop for the photos of the unfurling.

 

West Riding Flag – Winning Design

I am pleased to announce that the winning design of the West Riding flag competition was designed by Michael Faul from York.

The flag is described as: “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 eighth and ninth centuries. 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 unfurled this morning outside the Civic Hall, Millennium Square, Leeds by myself and Councillor Bernard Bateman, Chairman of North Yorkshire Council. The unfurling was also attended by Councillor Alan Barry, Chairman of Cumbria Council and Councillor Claude Mole, the Chairman of the East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

At the unfurling  my address outlined the background to the West Riding flag. Although the designer of the flag, Michael Faul, was unable to attend his address was read by Ian Sumner from the Flag Institute.

The following messages where received from Civic Leaders unable to attend the unfurling:

• Calderdale – Mayor of Calderdale, Councillor Ann Martin:“With regret, I am unable to attend the West Riding flag unfurling ceremony in Millenium Square, Leeds, however, I am delighted to send greetings from Calderdale on this occasion.”
• Doncaster – Civic Mayor of Doncaster, Councillor Christine Mills: “I wish you success with your flag unfurling” 
• Leeds -  Lord Mayor of Leeds: “Sends his best wishes and hopes your event is successful”
• Oldham – Mayor of Oldham: “It is with regret that I am unable to attend the unfurling of the West Riding Flag.  May I take this opportunity, on behalf of the people of Oldham, to send best wishes for what I am sure will be a wonderful occasion.”
• Rotherham – Deputy Mayor of Rotherham, Councillor Barry Dodson: “Best wishes to you for a successful and enjoyable event”
• Sheffield – Lord Mayor of Sheffield, Councillor Vickie Priestley: “I am sorry that I cannot be with you today for the unfurling of the first West Riding flag but send my best wishes to all involved in this special event for a successful and enjoyable day.”

Barnsley, Bradford, Kirklees, Lancashire, Wakefield, York councils made no comment.

Purchasing West Riding Flags

The first West Riding flag was made by Flying Colours of Knaresbrough. Printed and hand-made West Riding flags can now be purchased from them.

World Flag Shop expect delivery of polyester economy West Riding flags in June. They will be 5ft x 3ft and cost – £7.50 + p&p

Flag Institute Meeting

On Saturday I attended the Flag Institute meeting in London where I was pleased to meet up with Jason Saber the designer of the North Riding flag.

Yorkshire Flag

On Thursday 23 May the West Riding flag will become the third Ridings flag to be registered on the UK Flag Registry within five weeks.

As many Yorkshire flags are now flown in a much lighter shade than the one which was originally registered I thought it appropriate to share the history of the Yorkshire Flag on a new page.**

**This is reproduced with kind permission of British County Flags.

Yorkshire Ridings Days

The DCLG (Department for Communities and Local Government) have confirmed they are willing to fly all the Ridings flags from Elland House (Local Government HQ). As there already is an East Riding day we now need to vote for a West and North Riding day so that we have a main day to fly the Ridings flags. Below are current suggestions. Further suggestions are welcome: info@island-man.co.uk

East Riding

East Riding Day 24 August

North Riding

1. Battle of the Standard – Battle – 22 August
2. Captain Cook – Explorer – 7 November
3. St Hilda of Whitby – Saint – 17 November
4. Sir George Cayley – Aviation Pioneer – 27 December

West Riding

1. Joseph Priestley – Scientist – 13 March
2. John Harrison – Longitude – 24 March
3. Battle of Towton – Battle – 29 March
4. John Smeaton – Civil Engineer – 8 June
5. Titus Salt – Builder Saltaire – 20 September

IMAGE OF WEST RIDING FLAG TO BE ADDED ON THURSDAY 23 MAY

The voting will commence on Monday 3 June 2013.

NB: Ridings flags can be flown every day of the year. The Ridings Days will be the main day to fly each flag.

Tyke’s Way – Most Northerly Point – North Riding and Yorkshire

After the unfurling of the North Riding flag a small group walked to Tykes Way, the most northerly point of the North Riding and Yorkshire.

The remains of what appear to be a round house is typical of the Holwick region. Further research is currently taking place to establish whether the house is indeed the most northerly house in the North Riding and Yorkshire.

North Riding Flag Unfurling – The Photos

The Strathmore Arms, Holwick, the most northerly pub in the North Riding and Yorkshire, provided a fantastic backdrop for the photos of the unfurling.