Cumbria will today see the unveiling of its first ever Community Flag, marking a historic moment in the county’s story.
His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Cumbria, Mr Alexander
Scott, will be joined by guests from across the county at Carlisle Cathedral
this afternoon for a special Evensong service in thanksgiving for Cumbria’s
communities and to reveal the new design.
The flag is the result of a county-wide competition that
invited people of all ages and backgrounds to share their vision of what makes
Cumbria special. Hundreds of designs were submitted and reviewed by a panel of
local judges, before a shortlist was put to a public vote. The winning design
is intended to reflect the landscapes, heritage, and shared values of the
county.
While many English regions and counties already have
community flags, Cumbria has until now remained without a modern, inclusive
emblem. Organisers say the new flag will provide a unifying symbol for the
county, something that schools, local businesses, sports clubs and individuals
can fly freely and with pride.
Although Cumbria already has historic county flags,
including those of Cumberland and Westmorland, it has not previously had a
registered community flag to represent the county as a whole. The new emblem is
designed to complement, rather than replace, these traditional banners.
Community flags differ from official authority flags, which
often feature coats of arms and are restricted in their use. Instead, a
community flag is open to everyone and is intended to celebrate shared identity
and belonging.
The project began with a simple question from a member of
the public: “Why doesn’t Cumbria have a flag?” That question sparked a campaign
which gained widespread support. The initiative was taken forward by the then
High Sheriff of Cumbria, Mr Christopher Holmes, with the backing of the
Lord-Lieutenant, Mr Alexander Scott.
Penrith.Town News will be at Carlisle Cathedral later today
to report on the unveiling of the new Community Flag for Cumbria.
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