Flag of the Isle of Wight
Encyclopedia
The Flag of the Isle of Wight was adopted and registered in January 2009.
In 2007 an Isle of Wight Flag Committee was founded to create a flag for the Isle of Wight
. The Committee ran a public competition in association with the County Press newspaper to design a flag for the island. They received over 350 entries. These were whittled down to a shortlist of four designs which the public then had an opportunity to vote on.
The winning design was by John Graney. It was registered by the Flag Institute
on 9 January 2009. Although the Isle of Wight is not a traditional county
in accordance with the Flag Institute's expressed criteria, nevertheless the flag has been described as a "county flag", reflecting the island's distinct identity.
In April 2009 the new flag was officially launched and replaced the older design on top of County Hall.
, the seat of historical Governors. The blue surrounding field and three gold anchors represent the Island status and maritime history. The Council flag can only be used by the Council on buildings of local government. Until the new island flag was registered, the Island's team at events such as the International Island Games
used only the Union Flag
, or on occasion St George's Cross
.
In 2007 an Isle of Wight Flag Committee was founded to create a flag for the Isle of Wight
Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is a county and the largest island of England, located in the English Channel, on average about 2–4 miles off the south coast of the county of Hampshire, separated from the mainland by a strait called the Solent...
. The Committee ran a public competition in association with the County Press newspaper to design a flag for the island. They received over 350 entries. These were whittled down to a shortlist of four designs which the public then had an opportunity to vote on.
The winning design was by John Graney. It was registered by the Flag Institute
Flag Institute
The Flag Institute is a research and documentation centre for flags and flag information, founded on St George's Day, 23 April 1971 by William Crampton and Captain EMC Barraclough CBE RN. Although not an official body, it is the principal advisor and designer of flags to the government of the...
on 9 January 2009. Although the Isle of Wight is not a traditional county
Historic counties of England
The historic counties of England are subdivisions of England established for administration by the Normans and in most cases based on earlier Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and shires...
in accordance with the Flag Institute's expressed criteria, nevertheless the flag has been described as a "county flag", reflecting the island's distinct identity.
In April 2009 the new flag was officially launched and replaced the older design on top of County Hall.
Isle of Wight Council flag
Before this competition, the Council flag was the only popularly known flag for the island. The Council flag is taken from the Isle of Wight Arms granted in 1938. The castle featured represents Carisbrooke CastleCarisbrooke Castle
Carisbrooke Castle is a historic motte-and-bailey castle located in the village of Carisbrooke, near Newport, Isle of Wight, England. Charles I was imprisoned at the castle in the months prior to his trial.-Early history:...
, the seat of historical Governors. The blue surrounding field and three gold anchors represent the Island status and maritime history. The Council flag can only be used by the Council on buildings of local government. Until the new island flag was registered, the Island's team at events such as the International Island Games
International Island Games Association
The International Island Games Association is an organisation the sole purpose of which is to organise the Island Games, a friendly biennial athletic competition between teams from several European islands and other small territories. The IGA liaises with the member island associations and with...
used only the Union Flag
Union Flag
The Union Flag, also known as the Union Jack, is the flag of the United Kingdom. It retains an official or semi-official status in some Commonwealth Realms; for example, it is known as the Royal Union Flag in Canada. It is also used as an official flag in some of the smaller British overseas...
, or on occasion St George's Cross
St George's Cross
St George's Cross is a red cross on a white background used as a symbolic reference to Saint George. The red cross on white was associated with St George from medieval times....
.