Competitions to design flags for Moray and Banffshire attract more than 1000 entries – with public to vote for winners
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COMPETITIONS to design new flags for Moray and Banffshire have attracted a combined total of more than 1000 entries.
Flags are set to be flying proudly above towns in both areas by the end of 2023 – with locals set to pick their favourites from the end of May.
The competition to design a flag for Moray was judged by a committee from the area, with 626 entries whittled down to four finalists.
Banffshire's competition was run alongside its Moray counterpart in The Northern Scot's Elgin office, with a separate judging panel. It received 424 entries, with five flags reaching the final.
The nine remaining flags will be judged and voted on my members of the public, with a winner to be chosen for both Moray and Banffshire. Winners will be revealed at flag-raising events, likely to take place in late summer.
People of all ages, living anywhere in the world, were invited to enter the competitions. A number of the finalists have come from local primary schools, but entries came from as far afield as Argentina and Italy.
Lord lieutenant of Banffshire, Andrew Simpson, said: "Well done to the hundreds of people who entered the competition to design a flag for Banffshire.
"I am particularly grateful to the schools who engaged with the project. The quality of the entries demonstrated the incredible creativity of everyone – young and not so young – in meeting the brief.
"The judging panel, made up of people from across Banffshire, was given a very difficult task. They were delighted to be able to chose designs that reflected common features from across the Lieutenancy.
"I am looking forward to finding out which design is chosen by the public in the vote later this year."
Moray's lord lieutenant Seymour Monro added: "The response to the Moray flag competition has been remarkable.
"Hours of work have been put in by people – of all ages – from all four corners of the county and beyond.
"Some fantastic entries have come in from some of our youngest primary school pupils. I would like to extend an enormous thank-you to our local schools for their enthusiasm with regard to the competition."
MORE: Competition to design flags for Moray and Banffshire.
Finalists will be revealed to members of the public at the end of May, at which point people will be invited to vote for their favourites.
The flags that received the most public votes will be declared the winners at the late-summer unveiling events.
Public votes for both competitions will be hosted on The Northern Scot website, with the option to vote via the newspaper also to be available. More details will be available in May.
