In 2003 users of the BBC Devon website voted on a flag for Devon.
Since then, the black, green and white flag has become a symbol of pride throughout in the county.
It’s hard to believe, when you see so many black, green and white Devon flags flying proudly right across the county, that it only became a reality in 2003.
The Devon flag emerged out of a debate right here on the BBC Devon website. And the debate culminated in a web-based poll.
This led to a shortlist of about a dozen designs submitted by Devonians both at home and abroad.
Many of the designs used the traditional Devon colours of black, green and white.
T he result of the first vote was so close that a second poll was carried out to remove any doubt.
The most favoured design topped both the original BBC Devon poll and the follow-up shortlist vote, and was designed by BBC Devon contributor Ryan Sealey.
The design received 49% of the total votes cast in the final count. The group promoting the new flag then contacted the British Flag Institute, which is one of the world’s main research and documentation centres for flags.
It collects and provides all kind of flag information, from past and present, from all over the world.
Since those early days, the flag has really taken off.
It is now flown from County Hall in Exeter, at the Devon County Show each year, and the Devon rugby team also has the flag on their shirts.
And all over Devon, you can see the flags flying in gardens and on car bumper stickers(article courtesy of the BBC website).
Note from the author:
It is interesting to note that since then, there have been many new County flags initiated and registered throughout the UK. The most recent being Wiltshire. To see a full listing of all and approved British County Flags, you can visit:
http://www.flaginstitute.org/index.php?location=10#top
or http://www.worldflagshop.co.uk/acatalog/Counties___Provences.html
Many of the local county population have enjoyed competitons held by local newspapers and radio stations and have eagerly awaited the winning designs.
Worldwide Flags Ltd have been selling County Flags since their inception and have activley promoted new County designs. Included in their range are many different sizes of flags and bunting which help to continually promote County Flags in their different guises.
