Staffordshire Flags flying high… hopefully

I’m delighted there is growing interest in flying the Staffordshire Flag…

A while ago I wrote about my efforts to encourage a pride in where we live and how I think flying the Union Flag and more recently the Flag of Staffordshire can help to do just that.

In my view feeling part of where you live and identifying with your place can have a positive effect on tackling some of the social issues we have as a country and county.

Parish Clerks from across Staffordshire discuss flying the county flag

I bought a Staffordshire Flag as a gift for each of the 13 parish areas I represent and it’s pleasing to see several of the parish councils in those areas actively looking at how and where to fly them. But some aren’t and that disappoints me!

More public buildings in Staffordshire are now flying the national flag 24/7 as a result of a proposal I made in the County Chamber last year and my campaign to use our county flag is also gaining interest.

I’ve had a couple of calls from flag associations in the US asking for information on Staffordshire’s emblem and also interest from the business community here and over 20 contacts from individuals who live in our county wanting to know where to buy a flag and whether they need permission to fly it.

On the latter point… no you don’t. Flag flying generally falls under planning laws on advertising but the Union Flag, Flag of St George and English County flags are all exempt, as is the pole or staff, as long as nothing else at all is ever flown from it. 

So I’m hopeful that this will gain further momentum as more people and places fly the Flag of Staffordshire and I also hope that the parish councils that are currently flying their gift flag from me might just consider doing so. If you live in the area I represent… is yours?

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