New patches! I did a talk!

We're pleased to announce that we now stock Dorset Flag patches as shown to the left.

In other news, I was persuaded to do a talk on the flag at the Long Bredy Annual General Meeting. First time I've done a talk on it and to be honest I don't like public speaking much - but I felt it went rather well and I certainly heard later that people generally found it interesting to hear about. Notably - there were some people at that AGM who didn't know about the flag until that very evening!

Wessex FM are now doing a car sticker with the flag on. Nice one guys for getting behind the flag like that. :-)

St Wite's Day came and went on the 1st June. Dark Dorset did a nice piece on it.

Been a long time!

Greetings everyone. It indeed has been a very long time since I posted here. I think that has been due to several things:

- The campaign was a massive drain, both physically and mentally.
- I'd had enough of the bad-mouthing toward me.
- I wanted nothing to do with it for a while.
- I moved.....and it took ages.

...and that's been some time!

Opinion still seems to be quite divided on the Dorset Cross, it seems to be a bit like marmite in that sense, but most TIC's around Dorset are now stocking it with stickers and badges. A good few flags were sold last year. I think those that don't like it, simply ignore it.

It was spotted at Glastonbury on the TV this past year, which was splendid - one in the eye for the overwhelming amount of Devon flags.....

I spot the car stickers all around the county and you do actually see the flag flying around various places.

More recently, I was made aware of this:
http://www.mags4dorset.co.uk/dorset-flag-flies-at-half-mast-for-ron-fardell/

Which is both notable and incredibly sad. I think it's the first time that's happened or that I've been made aware of.

So, what's been happening?

Chris Brown, Mel Gudger and James Marshall are fronting the 'Dorset Flag (charity) group'. This is an effort to sell Dorset flags and give all profits to charity, now that the Dorset Flag Group no longer sells flags. Website pending. There is a Facebook group.

The original Facebook group and identity still exists.

My family continues to sell flags, badges, stickers and hopefully soon other things from our website.

It was nice to see Alistair Chisholm managed to get Dorchester Town Council to line South Street with flags all the way down.

Swanage Guides were given £100 donation that was made up from Flag Sales by Swanage TIC and DFG.

Despite the Borough of Poole claiming that they're not in Dorset and that the flag does not represent them, Poole Town FC seem to think otherwise!

I moved! I'm now a Westside Durnovarian, having previous been an Eastsider.

I see some patches have surfaced on Ebay.

The future?

I'm not sure. I'll try to keep the main site and news section more up to date, but my head's not really here anymore now that the objective has been completed. There are days when I look at the flag and think - I got that voted in? Why? ;-)

Dorset Flag Group donates £1000 to Air Ambulance Service

The group who promoted the winning entry in last year’s competition to find a Dorset flag has donated £1000 to the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance Service.

The Dorset Flag Group which includes Jacquie Hall, Town Crier of Wareham, Chris Brown, Town Crier of Wimborne and Dorset flag designer Dave White were given a tour of the facilities located at Henstridge Airfield in Somerset and saw the Air Ambulance crew in action as a call came in during the presentation.

Tracy Bartram - fundraising coordinator for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance was delighted to receive the cheque for £1000, stating ’It’s amazing how the public support us in so many different ways. Having a flag for Dorset is fantastic. The fact that money raised from selling the flag is helping the air ambulance continue to fly is even better. We need to raise in excess of £1.2m a year, and this goes to show that people can help us by raising funds in so many different ways.'

Funds had been raised from the sale of the groups winning flag entry ‘St Wite’s Cross’ during last years campaign to see Dorset’s first ever county-wide flag elected. A previous £500 had been donated to Wimborne Minster’s Priest House in November 2008.

Dave White stated “We’d always intended to give surplus funds from the campaign back to local charities and the Air Ambulance Service seems a highly appropriate one, given that it is entirely funded by donation."

The group left behind flags, stickers and badges to pass around the crew, noting that the helicopter and the flag matched somewhat.

Been A While

Been a while since much activity on here, we were of course all a little relieved that the flag won so handsomely and after expelling a lot of effort have been resting a little. However there are some bits and pieces to bring you up to date with and I will expand on them a little more when I have time and all the photos!

FLAG PARTY on Saturday November 1st was a great success and a big bunch of fun. Many thanks to the bands PRONGHORN, RAT RACE and ANIMAL TALENT SHOW for their time efforts and brilliant sets. ALSO many thanks to Kate and her team in the WHITE HART for letting us put on the gig and providing the Marquee and heating. We raised a handsome sum and once recovered let you know how much and where it is going to. Some very amusing pictures should arrive soon.

REMEMBRANCE: 11.11.08 for the first time in history the Dorset/St Wite's Cross paid homage to those who have served this great nation and lost their lives by accompanying the Royal British Legion Standards on to Wimborne Minster Green for the Act of Remembrance at the eleventh hour. Photos should arrive soon.

AT SEA: I understand the Dorset/St Wite's Cross has been flying high and on the sea with the Weymouth Gig Racing Club and looks, as we said it would, great against a sea scape. Many thanks to the group for their early support and we know you will bring glory to Dorset for many years! Do send us your pictures please.

FLAG CAR STICKERS are now available.

FUTURE OF THIS GROUP we, Dave, Jacquie and I (Chris) are considering the options concerning how the future of the group will formally wind up as our objective has been achieved. We shall be making announcements soon. We have selected one charity that is of benefit to all residents and visitors to the County which we feel is best placed to receive the profits from the flag sales this group has generated. They also use a very fetching "gold" colour!

AND IT'S A WIN!!!!

Today - 16th September - votes were counted for the four contenders shortlisted for Flag of Dorset.

The results were as follows:

Total Valid Votes : 3868
Flag B : 2086 (54%) - The Dorset Cross - Our flag!
Flag C : 856 (22%)
Flag D : 818 (21%)
Flag A : 108 (3%)

Total Valid Votes : 3868
Spoiled Votes : 222

We’re very pleased about the result – we’re glad that when it went to a vote, what we believed has been proven. We’re thankful for the process that’s got us here.

Thus and as confirmed by John Peake - Chairman of Dorset County Council - The Dorset Cross now IS the flag of Dorset!

He said: “It’s wonderful that so many people have voted and that we now have a symbol for the county we all love. I hope I shall soon see flags flying all over the county and beyond.”

Chair of the original selection panel, Graham Bartram (Chief Vexillologist of the Flag Institute), said: “Many counties are adopting their own flag to show pride in their area. Dorset has taken a very democratic approach in inviting people across the county to vote.

“It’s clear that Dorset people love their county and are keen to have a flag which represents it. I’m delighted to see that so many people voted.”

Voting now over....

Voting has now officially ended. I presume the last chance one had was to email before midnight.

The count will be on the 16th September, of which I will be present. However, the results will not likely be given then. Verification of voters will probably then take place the next day, so we're looking at the end of next week for the result.

Last Chance to Vote on a Dorset Flag

From DCC's website:
http://www.dorsetforyou.com/index.jsp?articleid=389780

"Don't miss your chance to vote for your preferred design for a flag to represent the county and its people.

Four possible designs, shortlisted from 29 ideas sent in by local people, are in the running and voting closes on Friday 12 September so there's still time to make your choice.

Posters featuring the four designs are on show at the county's libraries and are also posted on the Flag Institute (opens in a new window)website.

You can also pick up a voting slip at your local Dorset library, download one from the Flag Institute's website or just send your choice and contact details on a postcard to Flag Institute.

Alternatively you can e-mail your choice of A, B, C or D to dorset@flaginstitute.org, including your name, address and phone number.

Graham Bartram, Chief Vexillologist (flag expert) from the Flag Institute, has been involved in the shortlisting and organisation of the competition. He said: "Votes have been coming in thick and fast, both hard copies and emails. It's exciting to see that so many people support the idea of a Dorset flag.

"It's important that as many people as possible send in their vote so that the flag which eventually represents Dorset is truly chosen by the people of the county."

Residents of the whole county of Dorset, including Bournemouth and Poole, are eligible to vote. You must provide your address so that the judges can verify you live in the county.

Votes will be counted on Tuesday 16 September with an announcement of the winner as soon as possible after numbers have been verified."

GET IN THERE.

Tiscali User - trying to vote? Can't?

I've been getting reports from Tiscali email users that when they try to send in their vote(0ver email), it fails.

The problem seems to be that the email address dorset@flaginstitute.org redirects to dorsetflag@dorsetcc.gov.uk

It seems to use Google to do this and when the email arrives at DCC - it rejects as it hasn't come directly from Tiscali.

The solution is to email the 'dorsetflag@dorsetcc.gov.uk' address directly with your choice of flag and address etc.

Apology issued by 'View From Dorchester'

After last weeks erroneous article that accused us of selling the flag as 'official', View From Dorchester this week does another front page article relating to the Dorset Flag competition.

The bulk of the article encourages people to vote, but in bold was the following:

"Last week the View From Dorchester was told that one of the entries - St Wite's Flag was already being marketed as Dorset's 'official' flag.

We would like to make it clear that there is no suggestion that this flag's designers Dave White and Stephen Coombs were in any way involved in promoting their flag as the official version.

We apologise if they have been caused any embarrassment by our report."

I'd like to thank View From Dorchester for having some integrity and their apology. This was followed up by a letter from Chris Brown expressing his concern at what they'd reported.

In the Dorset Echo there was a letter from county complainer John Neimer. He absolutely insists that this competition is pointless(well, I agree somewhat) and that we should be using the DCC Arms as the flag. Lately, he's decided all the finalists are tea-towels and 'is he alone in that?'

Well, I responded to him - telling him to stop being Ebeneezer Scrooge.

He also got a bit of support from a couple other people:

The first, (MRS) Eileen Dickson; doesn't know what the flags represent. A statement basically saying 'what relevance does it have to Dorchester' is alarmingly insular. It's a Dorset flag my dear and Dorset is more than Dorchester. As for her not knowing what they mean, well DCC were a bit shortsighted in not disclosing that information when the finalists were printed. I did tell John Newth this information would be required. Or perhaps he realised that when people found out Design C represented the black death, it would literally be the death of it!

The second, John Rogers of the great Portland - insists that we should be using the Cerne Abbas Giant. That none of the designs say anything about Dorset, except ours which uses an irrelevant saint that is totally irrelevent to the current population of Dorset. He even invokes the mighty Thomas Hardy in his statement "Thomas Hardy, I firmly believe would have none of them."

Well, I don't think the Cerne Abbas Giant is appropriate for a flag really, recognisable yes - crude - yes. As a flag - no.

He also makes the mistake of generalising - '[St Wite has] no interest to the current population'. How does he know? We hear quite the reverse. Since when did Mr Rogers represent the population of Dorset? Arrogance doesn't befit Dorset people. Make use of this sentence 'in my personal opinion....'

Then to state that Hardy would dislike them - is grasping at straws there by invoking the mighty writer! It's all spin - "I'm more patriotic than you". Hardy, I firmly believe would rise above this prattle and give his support to the vote. It's raising the profile of Dorset and Dorset culture, which would have pleased him. Whether he liked any of them - well, who's to say? But then, that statement by Mr Rogers is supposed to give it some sort of authority. Like I said, it's all spin.

Now - it's a little late in the game for them all to be whinging now. (MRS) Dickson should make it her job to find out what the flags mean. Mr Rogers should have submitted a Cerne Abbas Giant design. Together, with John Neimer, they need to lighten up a bit! These four designs were selected by a panel of Dorset people and included the Chief Vexillologist of the Flag Institute, so they do know what they were talking about!(To a certain extent).

But in all fairness, at this stage - I don't really care what they think anymore. The process is in and the votes are being cast. By the 19th September, we should know the winner and that will be that.

Dorset Cross scoops award

Endorse It In Dorset Cultural Achievement Award 2008

:EDIT apparently, reporting this sort of thing in the Daily Echo is construed as making the flag seem official. Really?

The 'Endorse It In Dorset Festival' was again a massive success with over 5000 attendees this year.

The event, which annually sees bands from all over England flock to Six Penny Handley introduced their own 'Dorset Cultural Achievement Award' last year, with local band 'Who's Afear'd' picking up the award for 2007.

Since winning the award they have gone on to feature at many festivals, concerts and shows all over Dorset. They made a triumphal return to the 2008 festival and participated in the judging of this year's award along with organisers "Lamma, Fi & Big G".

The 2008 award went to the gold, red and white flag; the Dorset Cross - currently a contender in a vote that will see a flag of Dorset elected.

Big G said prior to the award that:

"The Endorse It In Dorset Festival now has a central place in promoting the culture of Dorset and has become a major source of tourist income for the County as a whole. We are delighted to be associated with this award and there was a clear winner in which we all agreed, the weather had been a bit miserable but the rallying call led by the bright and cheerful Dorset Cross flying all over the site kept our spirits and positive outlook flying high. We are delighted to award this prestigious accolade to The Dorset Cross as a unifying and bright symbol for the wonderful County of Dorset"

"The judges were impressed with the grass roots birth of Gold, Red and Silver cross which in production is yellow, red and white. It is such a good flag and has sold widely already. We think it is bound to win so we urge people to vote for Design B in the Dorset flag contest!"

Dave White, one of the founders of The Dorset Cross said:

"It's wonderful to see a distinct Dorset culture emerging at such an impressive event. I applaud the efforts of the organisers and am honoured that they should so whole-heartedly adopt the Dorset Cross as a symbol of the event. I'll certainly be back next year!"

Officialdom and when the results will be known.

We were recently attacked in the 'View From Dorchester' newspaper by having our flag on sale and marketing it as 'official'. Of course, this is complete nonsense.

Our flag is on sale, but we market it as a contender. It has been on sale for quite some time now, other vendors now sell it. As far as I'm aware, none of them market it as official and if they do, I will certainly be having words with them. Also, people seem to be concerned that our flag is on sale - they fail to realise that the Dorset Cross predates this competition and has every right to be.

Chris and myself have complained to 'View From...' who have apologised and the editor, Philip Evans has promised to issue a full apology in next weeks edition.

Officialdom. Registering a flag at the Flag Institute does not make a flag official. The Flag Institute is a registry and not the College of Arms, which is the only body which can award officialdom to any symbol. They work at the request of the Queen and I'm fairly sure she's not going to order a flag for Dorset anytime soon.

What we will have in Dorset, is a publically elected flag(which the council will presumably endorse) that will serve as de facto flag. I understand this better than most, so would never be so arrogant as to market our flag as official.

Results of Competition
I'm reliably informed that the results of the vote will be known somewhen during the week after voting ends(12th Sept), thus superceding the terms and conditions stating it would be 24 hours later.

From Poole or Bournemouth Borough? Read On....

It has come to our attention, that due to the two unitary authorities not being 'interested' at this time with regards to a Dorset flag - NONE of the libraries in those areas will be carrying voting forms or drop boxes.

It is hoped that the Daily Echo may run the story with voting slips printed in their pages.

The two unitary authorities seem to forget that we all live in the geographical county of Dorset - this is not a political thing, it is a symbol for all the county and they are within it. As are the people.

This separatist attitude is frankly ridiculous. Give the people the chance to make their views known!

If you are in these affected areas - the best thing you can do is email dorset@flaginstitute.org with you choice of design (A, B, C or D), name and full address with postcode.

You can also download the voting form and send it to county hall from here:

http://www.flaginstitute.org/pdfs/dorset_voting_form.pdf

Bournemouth and Poole - we need you votes!

At last, voting starts....

I've been monitoring the DorsetForYou website for weeks now looking for a PR release that says voting has started.....and this morning.....

"11/08/08: Have your say on the design for a Dorset flag

People across Dorset can now vote for their preferred design for a flag to represent the county and its people.

Creative local people sent in a range of design ideas for a flag after an appeal through local newspapers by Dorset County Council chairman John Peake.

A panel chaired by Graham Bartram from the Flag Institute chose a shortlist of four designs from a total of 29 - now the choice is in the hands of local people.

Posters featuring the four designs are on show at the county's libraries and are also posted on the Flag Institute website.

You can also pick up a voting slip at your local Dorset library, download one from the website or just send your choice and contact details in on a postcard to Flag Institute.

Alternatively you can e-mail your choice of A, B, C or D to Dorset@flaginstitute.org, including your name, address and phone number.

Graham Bartram, Chief Vexillologist (flag expert), said: "We were impressed by the range of designs sent in and feel we now have a strong shortlist for the voters to choose from.

"It's important that as many people as possible send in their vote so that the flag which eventually represents Dorset is truly chosen by the people of the county."

Voting closes on Friday 12 September."

Well, I have to say I'm feeling a bit more relieved now that it's started. I've been madly advising everyone to vote. Seems to have taken a lifetime to get here(in fact, DCC announced the comp on the 23rd April - so near four months). Voting ends in precisely one month.

This comes at a time when our flag has been sold in the hundreds, is being sold by several different traders on Ebay and Amazon and now appears in sticker, flag, badge, card and clock form. It is the most recognisable Dorset flag in the county, despite not being official. So if a vote swings against it - what does that then mean? It's not going to simply go away.....unlike the other designs that are just designs on paper!

Anyway - vote for design B, send an email to dorset@flaginstitute.org with your name, (Dorset) address and phone number.

EIID official programme....

The Endorse It In Dorset festival took place this weekend(8th-10th) with major acts from all over England and especially Dorset. I didn't quite manage to survive, having been completely and utterly washed out thanks to Devon rain on Saturday! I'm obviously far to used to creature comforts....

Chris Brown and Mell Gudger did various DJ sets and stayed for the whole weekend.

I caught splendid performances from Dorset's own 'Kings of Cowpunk' Pronghorn and Who's Afear'd, both fierce supporters of the Dorset Cross.

The flag itself was on sale and it was great seeing people flaunting it around the site. My only gripe was the cheeky b*stard flag seller who had up the Armorial Banner of DCC and had the audacity to call it the 'REAL Dorset flag'. I set Chris on him Sunday....

I'm sure Chris will do a better report, but I thought I'd get this one up quickly and show the excellent official programme!

Town Crier Travails!

16.7.08

We have some heartwarming support for our wonderful flag which is worth recounting for you readers of this site!

I was honored to be accompanied by my colleague Mellvin Gudger on a number of events recently which illustrate the support the Dorset Cross is gaining and confirming it as a recognisable symbol of the county.

Firstly we travelled to the infamous 100 CLUB in London’s Oxford Street (one of the birthing pools of punk) to DJ and entertain the crowd. I was very honoured to introduce “Swill” from the magnificent 80’s post punk band who stormed many a stage “The Men They Couldn't Hang” Swill immediately recognised the Dorset Cross badge I was wearing and told me he always thought Dorset was full of bright buggers so they need a "f*** off you sods bright flag". A magical moment!

Secondly Mr Gudger and I were on duty in Ringwood (yes, over the border) to assist the Mayor (a lovely chap which is why we travelled) at his Ringwood Festival. We chatted to many folk and did our town crying thing and were heartened to talk to the veterans at The Royal British Legion stall who all asked about the badge and were very pleased to hear of the direct acknowledgement of the Dorset Regiment in its predominant and founding colours. Many people commented on our badges and said they had heard all about it, a few people asking what is Hampshire's flag? And commenting that it cant be as memorable as Dorset’s flag! (Anyone interested : Flag of Hampshire)

Thirdly we visited the quintessential village Fete at Gussage All Saints and were honoured at being given a table to publicise the Dorset Cross. This is a fantastic fete with no commercial interference and all for the complete good of the village set in the gardens of a most lovely house. Our reception and the interest generated was fantastic and we sold many flags and garnered much support. We even sold some flags to the Countess of Shaftesbury who pledged her support of the non commercial and charitable aims of the sales of the flag.

I think for many, our flag represents something cheerful, something bright and warm that reminds us of our beloved Dorset and of course as above, it is fighting the power (despite their 'good' aims). It is simply 'the bright light that is Dorset'!

It's brilliant that now people know what it is from all places.

Chris Brown

Dorset Cross in the final running....!

John Newth, editor of 'Dorset Life', writes:

It was in October 2006 that I wrote an article in 'Dorset Life', pressing for a flag for Dorset. I intended to do something practical about it but the time-consuming routine of producing a monthly magazine meant that it stayed on the back burner. The County Council was also dragging its feet.

So I was delighted when Dave White produced and promoted a suggested design. It has been generally well received, which is both a tribute to Dave's design and evidence of the need for a county flag. The drawback is that it has not really gone through any sort of county-wide democratic process: obviously it is desirable for as many people as possible to express an opinion.

What is an 'official' county flag? There is no definition in law, but the Flag Institute (an independent body which advises the government - and countries throughout the world - on flags) is keeping a National Registry of County Flags.

No-one (including the County Council) wants the County Council to impose a flag on the people of Dorset, but it took the initiative of inviting designs from anyone in the county via the press. 29 were received.

The County Council then set up a panel to choose a shortlist of four. On the panel were the Vice-Lord Lieutenant, the High Sheriff, the editors of the 'Dorset Echo' and 'Dorset Life' and two representatives from Dorset's youth parliament. It was chaired by the Chief Vexillologist (flag expert) from the Flag Institute. If you think that the composition of the panel was not perfect, remember that they were only making a shortlist and not a final decision. It is reasonable to assume that the County Council will endorse the chosen design and that it will be flown on all public buildings in the county, but no member or officer of the County Council had any influence whatsoever on the shortlist decision.

The panel chose four designs, one of which was Dave White's. Voting, which will start in early August and go on to mid-September, can be done via the 'Dorset Echo', 'Daily Echo', 'Dorset Life' or the County Council website (although the County Council will not be involved in counting votes) or by email to the Flag Institute. Voting slips will also be distributed widely via libraries, school, parish councils etc and at the County Show. There will be precautions against multiple voting.

The aim is to arrive at a single county flag on which as many people in the county as possible have had a chance to vote: a flag of which we can all be proud.

Over 5000 visits!, more news

Our site has now had over 5000 visits! (No, that's not me clicking 'refresh' every few seconds...!)

That's a fair bit of traffic for a site that's only been in existence for a few months! Thank you to all who've stopped by.

Word on the street is that the selection panel will be meeting next week to view the candidates and select the four for voting. I know nothing else at this stage. Mayor Robin Cook from Wimborne has asked to be informed when the panel has met.

A new batch of smaller flags should be with us next week and as we're nearing the end of the current batch of larger ones - that's near 320 flags sold in a few months. We have a close supply of larger ones, so there shouldn't be a delay if we run out locally.

We should soon have windows stickers - these are the ones that stick on the inside of cars facing out. These will replace the paper stickers we have been using.

You can now buy flags in Poole from :
"Setchfields"
21-25 High St
Poole BH15 1AB
Tel: 01202 673300

The contest end date is over - but does it matter?

So, we've reached the final date - the 27th - no more submissions to 'find a flag for Dorset 2008'. So we'll be getting a flag soon - get this voting slips ready! But - does this matter?

Steve Coombs has these comments on the contest to find a Dorset flag:

"The Dorset County Council could have done a lot worse in deciding how to deal with the flag question in which it has now chosen to get involved.

However it is essential to realise that there is no authority assigned to to the council to intervene at all. It has no greater say in the matter than any other organisation, or indeed any individual.

The council can certainly not make any flag official. Official flags are the result of a decision of central government, in practice (unless the flags are for the armed forces) after it has consulted the College of Arms.

Many Dorset people have already decided to use the white cross edged in red on a golden field, and there is no reason on earth why they should not continue to do so, whatever the outcome of the vote. The vote will not decide the issue; only the actual practice of ordinary people can do that."

Steve, as always has made some very valid points. A winner of this contest will be endorsed by the DCC - not made official and it will be no more official than any other Dorset flags out there. It may have won a public vote and rubber-stamped by DCC, but what does that matter in terms of officialdom? Nothing.

People are asking our stance if we should lose this or even if we don't make the final four.

Well, if we don't make the final four - I will consider this a travesty. It is entirely due to our efforts that this scenario exists. Our flag follows all the first rule of heraldry(rule of tincture) and to the letter - the guidelines of the Flag Institute. If we aren't part of the final four - I will ignore this contest completely and won't vote. I won't recognise any winner.

If we are in the final four and lose, what does this mean? We were outvoted - but the winner still isn't the official flag of Dorset - it is a popularly voted flag and endorsed by an organisation - no more official that ours. The same would apply if we won, but the difference is, the Dorset Cross is already out there - flying in the breeze. Who else can say that?

New pictures from Stonehenge and Glastonbury 2008

New photos have been sent in of the Dorset Cross at Stonehenge and Glastonbury.

- The Dorset Grove blessed the flag at Stonehenge - find those photos here.
- Alfie Tyson Brown(son of the great Chris Brown!) sent in this photo from Glastonbury 2008.

Keep sending them in folks!

Article at Bridport Radio

http://www.bridportradio.co.uk/content/view/1264/147/

Serious campaigning for a Dorset Flag began in January this year, a few months after John Peake of DCC said that the council had no authority to create a flag because of the Unitary Status of Poole and Bournemouth.

The Dorset Cross, has a golden field - linked to ancient Wessex (golden dragon), Golden Cap and Gold Hill and a white cross outlined in red. All three colours are found in the arms of DCC. If the flag was to be named after a saint - Dorset's own St Wite who rests at Whitchurch Canonicorum would be desired above all others as she is thought to have been a local.

The flag is going from strength to strength with hundreds of flags, badges and stickers having been sold to the Dorset public. Wimborne Town Council recently adopted it and it is to be blessed at Stonehenge this Saturday(27th June) by Dorset Grove.

Despite this, John Peake announced a county wide 'competition' for a new flag of Dorset, in an apparent u-turn on their previous position(citing us as 'having got them going'). That contest ends tonight(27th June '08) at midnight. A panel of judges (The High Sheriff, Lord Lieutenant, Two members of the youth parliament, the Dorset Echo editior and chaired by the Flag Institute's chief vexillologist(flag expert)) will shortlist four entries that will be voted on by the Dorset public.

The Dorset Cross has been entered into this competition. In the event we lose, it's possible we will carry on regardless as DCC does not have the power to authorise an official flag. Only the College of Arms and the Queen can do that.