| Archive for somersetdiscussion.myfreeforum.org This is a site to discuss Somerset; the flag, the people, the history and politics of our wonderful county! |
| Baldbloke |
The Flag for Somerset: I've seen it!Hi allI'm a newbie, but I've seen what I think should be our Somerset Flag! I was up on Exmoor this afternoon, and passed a house proudly flying a white St Georges cross on a red background. It complements the flags of our neighbours in Devon and Cornwall, and still provides us with our own local identity... what do you think? |
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| Baldbloke |
Re: The Flag for Somerset: I've seen it!Before anyone says it, OK, I know it resembles the Danish flag in terms of colour and layout, but the cross on the Danish flag is thinner and the vertical bar is offset to the left. Looking round the forum, this is part of a post from "Ed". Forget about dragons, wyverns etc; the reference to the Danes is the interesting bit:It of course relates back to an ancient device representing the county and the rallying call of King Alfred's troops before the decisive battles with the Danes. I've only included the relevant bits. We beat the Danes, maybe we "inherited" a "right" to alter their flag..? Hmmm.... any thoughts?
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| admin |
Re: The Flag for Somerset: I've seen it!
Hiya, I'd be careful about claiming to have beaten the Danes! Your forum admin is DANISH! However I will happily except Danegeld, or sexy English girls as tribute. 
I like the flag idea btw, but yes it does sound like our flag. cj x |
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| admin |
Re: The Flag for Somerset: I've seen it!
Welcome to the forum!
Where's abouts did you see this flag? I've never heard of it before and it all sounds very interesting. Send us a photo if you can and we'll put it on here. Ed |
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| Baldbloke |
Re: The Flag for Somerset: I've seen it!
Oops... don't want me posts blocked! No offence intended, it was a historical observation! Sorry no Danegeld (or sterling for that matter!) at the moment... just finished refitting my kitchen so you'll have to have the sexy girls instead 
BB |
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| Baldbloke |
Re: The Flag for Somerset: I've seen it!
It was a few weeks ago on the B3224 somewhere between Simonsbath and Wheddon Cross, but I can't remember the exact location as I was mobile at the time! To give you an idea what it looked like, take the Devon flag, replace the green background with a red one and leave the white cross with its black border untouched, and there you have it. I'll put something together in Paint and mail it to anyone who's interested. BB |
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| Baldbloke |
Re: The Flag for Somerset: I've seen it!
Oh dear... the thread has gone cold  is anyone still interested???
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| admin |
Yes very much so! I know the road you are talking about and can go round there and take a look now that the nice weather is here.
Sorry about the lateness of the reply, I've been very busy and have little time to go online. Ed
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| Baldbloke |
Busy... LOL! I know that feeling! It's good to do something which has absolutely nothing to do with work!
Having thought about it some more, I think the flag I saw was more of a shade of maroon rather than red/scarlet, but if you do drive that way and you spot the flag, let me know what you think. You may get a better view if you are going eastbound though. Can't get the hang of this board! How do I post the image here, or can I mail it to you? cheers BB
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| admin |
Try mailing it to CJ, he deals with that side of things. Was the flag flying in Exford by any chance?
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| nxylas |
I just received the latest edition of the Wessex Chronicle, magazine of Wessex Society. On the cover was a photo of "St Aldhelm's Cross", flying from the church tower at Uphill, Weston-Super-Mare, on the occasion of the Earl of Wessex's birthday. The flag looks a lot like you were describing, with a white cross on a red background. I don't know if this is a printing error, though, as I thought St. Aldhelm's Cross was the same colours as the wyvern flag, gold on red. The flag was designed by WS's resident flag expert, Jim Gunter, who is of the opinion that the wyvern flag is more of a royal standard than a regional flag. Personally, I prefer the wyvern, as it is distinctive, has a long history and I believe that one flag for Wessex is enough. But who cares what I think? | ||||||
| admin |
Is this the flag you're describing Nick/Baldbloke?
http://www.sherborneabbey.com/image/arms_sm.jpg This is the flag of Sherborne Abbey, which was founded by St. Aldhelm. |
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| admin |
I've written to CJ to ask him if he can stick your picture on here; he deals with the technical stuff. Ed |
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| admin |
Email it to me at somersetflag@yahoo.co.uk and I'll have it stuck on the thread for you.
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| nxylas |
Could be, except the flag didn't have the bishop's crook on it. |
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| Baldbloke |
Similar, but the cross had a black border similar to the Devon flag, not such a bright red, and no crook on it. I'm going that way next week, so I'll try and get a picture of it.... |
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| Baldbloke |
'tis on is way! BB |
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| admin |
Did you find out anything about this mysterious flag BB?
CJ will at some point get round to putting your picture on here, I hope. He's writing for TV at the moment, so he's a bit distracted. Ed |
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| admin |
OK, here is the flag!!!
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