Competitions to design flags for Moray and Banffshire set to launch
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COMPETITIONS to design new flags for Moray and Banffshire are set to launch next week after an excitement-raising school tour.
Last month, Moray and Banffshire Lieutenancies announced plans to unfurl new flags later this year – with people with links to either area, anywhere in the world, being given the chance to design them.
Hundreds of people, of all ages, are expected to enter the competitions, which will launch on Monday, February 27, and run until Friday, March 24.
The field will be whittled down to between four and six entries per lieutenancy area by an expert panel at the end of April, before a winner for each area is chosen by the public.
Contest winners will be invited to do flag-raising honours at an event in both areas in late summer.
Excitement has been building this week, with vexillologist (flag expert) Phillip Tibbetts visiting schools across the area to help launch the competition.
He said: "The kids are very enthusiastic about this. Firstly because it's something creative for them to do, but also because they realise that symbolism is something that they are passionate about.
"Around Scotland we have had a number of schoolchildren win these competitions and the fact that we have nine and 11-year-olds winning shows they get the importance of flags.
"By the end of the sessions, I had a handful of kids waiting to ask me extra questions, or kids saying 'I would like to do this, do you think that would be good?'
"It's a heart-warming process and I always come away feeling fulfilled."
Mr Tibbetts, who is Honorary Vexillologist at the Court of the Lord Lion, is hopeful that Moray and Banffshire gaining their own flags can be of great benefit to both areas.
"There are three key benefits," he explained. "The first is internal pride and a connection for local people to their area.
"The second is the external side – it's essentially raising awareness of a community.
"Finally, there's a national perspective. Scotland is a patchwork of identities and each individual patch needs to be part of that.
"These flags are not there to replace the Saltire, but nothing makes me prouder than seeing a flag I've been involved with flying next to the Saltire and that's what I want."
Schoolchildren in 10 towns and villages across Moray and Banffshire received visits from Philip, who also took the time to visit Elgin Rotary Club.
Nancy Robson, Moray's deputy lieutenant, added: "Philip Tibbetts has gripped primary school pupils and staff with tales of flag history, heraldry and the art of good flag design.
"His presentations have been well received by pupils and staff who are now eager to get started on their flags."
The cost of the competition is set to be covered by generous donations from Walkers Shortbread and Gray Composting Services.
People of all ages are encouraged to get involved with the competition.
Packs can be picked up from The Northern Scot office on South Street in Elgin (Monday-Friday, 9.30am until 2.30pm), Moray Council's Annexe in Elgin and Aberdeenshire Council Town House on Banff's Low Street.
To download the packs digitally, visit www.lordlieutenantbanffshire.co.uk/banffshire-flag or www.lordlieutenantmoray.co.uk.
Both digital and paper submissions will be collected by The Northern Scot. These can be handed into the Scot office, posted to 74-76 South Street, Elgin, IV30 1JG, or sent to countyflags@hnmedia.co.uk
