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Tel: 01752 295944 | Mobile: 07765 621 412
The Devon Flag
In 2003 I was working on the BBC Devon website with colleagues, Kevin Heathorn and John Govier, when we came up with the idea to hold a competition to design a county flag.
The origins of the Devon Flag
These days it's part of the scenery; fluttering over the Devon landscape, stuck on car bumpers, attached to key-rings, proudly worn on clothing and even used on wrappers to denote locally produced food.
But it wasn't always this way!
Most people think the Devon flag has been around for generations, when in actual fact it only came into existence thanks to an online competition in 2003.
How it all began
In 2003, I was working on the BBC Radio Devon website, alongside Kevin Heathorn and John Govier.
It was relatively early days for websites and the three of us had been in pretty much from the start.
In those days we were always trying new things, experimenting with what we could achieve and constantly coming up with new ideas.
We were one of the first BBC local websites to introduce a webcam where users could watch a baby rhino at Paignton Zoo; we launched a really popular section called Devon Demos (the forerunner of BBC Introducing) where we shone the spotlight on local musicians; and we were all over online forums encouraging people to discuss all sorts of county-related issues.
It was in one of these forums that someone asked the question: "Does Devon have a county flag?"
It soon became the 'hot topic' on the site, with lots of people showing an interest and asking why neighbouring Cornwall was suitably regaled, whilst Devon was flagless?
People Power
If we don't have one, why not create one?
It got us thinking!
There was obviously an appetite for Devon to have its own ensign - so let's run a competition to design one.
We worked with a self-appointed 'flag committee' who had formed among the people using the discussion forum and invited budding designers to rise to the challenge.
We had lots of entries and put them to the public (if unscientific) vote. The result was close, so the top designs were put to a second, shortlist, vote to remove any doubt.
The most favoured design topped both polls. It was designed by BBC Devon website user, Ryan Sealey of Ashburton, and received 49% of the votes.
Then came the challenge of finding out just how a flag becomes the county emblem.
We researched the topic and discovered that a flag simply has to be 'adopted' by its people. A flag-maker picked up on our story and started production - and it wasn't very long before this green, white and black design was being flown across Devon - and around the world. Not a day passed without us being sent photos showing where the ensign was flying - including from Devon ex-pats living all over the globe.
There followed a prolongued period of press and media attention, we were even asked for details so the flag could be used in a question on a prime-time TV quiz show.
It didn't escape its share of controversy either; "It looks like the Cornish flag" and "It's more about Plymouth than the rest of the county", but the proof of the pudding..... it was so popular that it was recognised by the Flag Institute.
The rest - as they say - is history. Even though it's relatively recent history!
And it still gives a sense of pride when seeing it flown by festival goers at Glastonbury, or young sandcastle builders on the beach. It's absolutely everywhere - and I was part of the team responsible for its inception.
So the next time you see the Devon flag, fluttering in the breeze, you'll be able to share the story of how it was born.
If only it was that easy to solve the jam or cream first debate!
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