Cumbria is set to receive its very own community flag, and residents from across the county are invited to unleash their creativity and contribute to its design. Whether you're an individual, school, community group, or organisation, this is a unique opportunity to become part of Cumbrian history.
The Lord-Lieutenant and the High Sheriff of Cumbria, with support from, Cumberland Council, Westmorland and Furness Council, Carlisle Cathedral, the University of Cumbria, and the Flag Institute, are launching an exciting design competition to create a community flag that represents our county with honour. The competition is open from 12noon today (Monday 24 March) until 12 noon on Friday 25 April 2025.
The intention is to create a flag that celebrates Cumbria's unique heritage, culture, and community spirit! Get involved by submitting your design, whether it's a drawing, painting, digital artwork, or crafted creation by following the competition's terms and conditions and the official Flag Institute guidelines.
Flags are one of the world's oldest art forms - bold symbols that have long been used to show allegiance, identity, and social pride. From sports matches and military parades to music festivals, flags are everywhere, adding colour and meaning to the events and places we love.
Why create a community flag for Cumbria?
Unlike many counties in England, Cumbria does not currently have an official community flag representing the county as a whole. While we do have an existing flag of authority, created in 1974 when the ceremonial county was formed, this is primarily flown from official buildings such as council offices. A community flag, however, would be a freely available symbol that any individual or group could use to express their connection to Cumbria.
Several towns and villages within Cumbria have their own community flags, including Penrith, Appleby, Nenthead, and Wreay. In contrast, banners of arms exist for some city, town, and village councils – Like Penrith and Carlisle - but these are not freely available for public use. The former Cumbria Council banner of arms is also restricted in its use.
This competition offers an opportunity for all members of the community to contribute to the creation of a unifying symbol. A community flag for Cumbria will be a free, public emblem for everyone to use, helping to:
Express pride in our local community.
Increase recognition and awareness of Cumbria on a national scale.
Celebrate the heritage and culture of our corner of the country
Complement the existing community flags of Cumbria's constituent historic counties.
How to enter
It's easy, simply take a look at the community flag competition pack that can be found on the Lord-Lieutenant's website: Cumbria Community Flag | Cumbria Lord-Lieutenant to make sure your design follows the competition's terms and conditions and the Flag Institute's design guidelines.
You can then either enter the community flag competition online or complete the entry form that can be found in the competition pack. Send your design to the address below:
A Community Flag for Cumbria
University of Cumbria
Brampton Road
Carlisle
Cumbria
CA3 9AY
A panel of judges will select a shortlist of designs, which will then go to an online public vote opening in May 2025. All shortlisted designs will be professionally redrawn to ensure a consistent look. The winning flag will be proudly registered with the Flag Institute's UK Flag Registry.
The Lord-Lieutenant of Cumbria, Mr. Alexander Scott, said:
"Cumbria is a county with a rich and diverse history, and a community flag will provide an opportunity for us to come together and celebrate our shared identity. I encourage everyone to get involved in this great initiative, which will help strengthen our sense of belonging and pride in our county."
The High Sheriff of Cumbria, Mr. Chris Holmes said:
"I am proud to be supporting this initiative and encourage everyone to get involved. Cumbria as a region has existed in various forms for centuries and predates its latest definition, the administrative entity most of us will be most familiar with, which came into being 50 years ago. This flag is not tied to any territorial definition and is free to use for anyone proud of Cumbria. The rich heritage of the county does provide plenty of inspiration for designing a flag".
Mr. Philip Tibbetts, Communities Vexillologist at the Flag Institute, said:
"I am delighted to be back supporting flags in the region, having previously worked with Penrith, Appleby, Nenthead and Wreay. Given the ancient origins and unique history of the wider Cumbrian region, encompassing it's time as a Welsh speaking region and later incorporation into England, I am excited by the potential inspiration that can be drawn on. I look forward to seeing the winner take its rightful place flying next to the regions constituent historic county and town flags in future."
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