A new flag for Lincolnshire was introduced in November 2005 and is now fluttering from many public buildings throughout the county.

The bold design was the result of a two-year campaign which began with a letter in County News, the monthly newspaper published by Lincolnshire County Council and delivered free to 316.000 homes in the county. Fred and Pat Rickett, of Moulton, near Spalding, wrote that they were keen caravanners but had no flag that could be flown at the various rallies they attended throughout Britain.

Their appeal was taken up by Radio Lincolnshire and a campaign was launched in conjunction with Lincolnshire Life magazine. Six designs were subsequently commissioned and residents voted on which one they preferred, choosing the design submitted by Michelle Andrews, a web producer at Radio Lincolnshire who was also born in the county.

The new flag has the City of Lincoln's fleur-de-lys in the centre with the red cross of St George, a yellow border representing Lincolnshire Yellowbellies and green and blue areas reflecting the green fields of the Wolds, the open skies and the surrounding sea. It was unfurled for the first time during a ceremony at Lincoln Castle on 24th October 2005 and for the next two weeks was also flown over the Old Hall at Gainsborough, the Assembly Rooms at Boston, South Kesteven District Council's offices at Grantham and the Springfields Centre at Spalding. The town council at Bourne has applied to have one and it will soon be fluttering over the Town Hall.

The new flag has been given an official welcome by Councillor Martin Hill, leader of LCC who said that it would be flying on all suitable occasions above the county offices in Lincoln. "Although the council has not been directly involved in the search for a new flag for Lincolnshire, I am delighted that county residents have now chosen  their favourite design", he said. "I look forward to seeing it flying from homes across the county as well as official buildings."

Similar sentiments were expressed by Councillor John Kirkman (Bourne East), chairman of SKDC for 2005-2006 who said that it would be instrumental in encouraging pride in the county among the population. He said: "It is providing an impressive focus and will help promote Lincolnshire throughout the world. We yellowbellies are proud of our county and I believe that this superb design aptly sums up its major qualities."

See also Lincolnshire Yellowbellies

WRITTEN NOVEMBER 2005