News Goole couple help fly Yorkshire flag
Proud Yorkshire folk can now officially fly the famous Yorkshire flag, thanks to a couple from Goole.
Previously the flag was not included in the official UK register of flags kept by the UK flag Institute, meaning anyone wanting to fly the flag had to apply for special planning permission.
However, on behalf of the Yorkshire Ridings Society, Roger Sewell of Goole arranged for the popular image of a white rose on a blue background to become a registered flag so people from across Yorkshire could fly it freely.Having the design registered also meant that the flag cannot be registered by any other body, helping protect its status for the county.
Roger, who is also the vice-chairman of the Ridings Society, explained: "I was very surprised when I discovered the flag was not registered, so I got in touch with the flag institute to see how we went about registering it. By registering the flag it is exempt from the normal planning regulations which apply to most flags, meaning people from the county can fly it freely.
"One of the things we do encourage as a Society is that people fly the flag proudly."
A special large version of the flag was then made up in time to be flown on Yorkshire Day, which is celebrated on August 1 each year.
To mark the official registration Roger and his wife Chris decided to walk from Hull to York carrying the flag, arriving just in time for last Friday's Yorkshire Day celebrations.
Accompanied by members of their 'walking your way to health' local walking group, retired teachers Roger and Chris set off from the Queen's Gardens in Hull on Tuesday, July 29 following a ceremony in which the Lord Mayor of Hull Councillor Elaine Garland unfurled the newly-made ceremonial Yorkshire flag.
Of her duties the Lord Mayor said: "I am delighted to have had the honour of unfurling this flag on behalf of the Yorkshire Ridings Society.
"Yorkshire has a long, varied history and it is important to protect its heritage. The production and registration of the ceremonial flag is another example of the good work being done by the Society to ensure that this continues long into the future."
The party of walkers then tackled the walk in stages, travelling from Hull to Cottingham, then on to Harswell near Holme on Spalding Moor before arriving at the Walmgate Bar in York on Yorkshire Day in time to join in with traditional celebrations.
"As part of Yorkshire Day we walked around the walls of York flying the flag then attended the reading of the Yorkshire Declaration of Integrity.
"Overall, the walk went really well. We had great walking conditions and Yorkshire Day was very pleasant and enjoyable," said Roger.
Now members of the Society are hoping the flag, which will be mounted on a specially-made staff which represents the three Ridings of Yorkshire and the city of York, will be permanently displayed in York.
"I hope that the ceremony and the registration of the Yorkshire flag will encourage Yorkshire folk to proudly fly it. It would be wonderful to see the historic county covered in white roses," added Roger.
Following the flag registration, Roger and Chris are creating a booklet which includes information about the Yorkshire Rose.
So far they have managed to trace the flag design back 44 years but would like any information to help them see how far back the design goes.
They would also like to get in touch with a Mrs Olive Snaith, who they believe may have designed a special version of the flag here in Goole.
If you have any information about the design or Mrs Snaith please contact Roger and Chris on 07734079646.
Published on 7th August 2008 in News.
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