Buxton Flies The Flag For Derbyshire
22 September 2006
Derbyshire's new flag!
This morning’s unveiling of Derbyshire’s new flag on Buxton’s Dome reinforces our connections with the town, the county and the region.
”Tim Heap, Subject Manager, Travel and Tourism
The University of Derby’s award-winning Devonshire Campus in Buxton this morning became just one of four major county landmarks to fly the new Derbyshire Flag. The striking design was unfurled from the top of the Devonshire’s Dome – one of the highest points in England’s highest market town.
Spearheaded by BBC Radio Derby’s Andy Whittaker on his Breakfast Show, the search for an emblem for Derbyshire’s identity began back in July.
“The idea came from the people of Derbyshire, the designs came flooding in from the people of Derbyshire, and this is very much a flag for the people of Derbyshire,” said Andy. “I hope they embrace it and choose to display it to express their pride in the county of Derbyshire.”
Early in the competition, the University’s Programme Leader for Illustration and Graphic Design, Jane Stanton, and student Jim Davey, provided help, advice on using symbolic graphics and early designs to inspire the creation of Derbyshire’s Flag. And then it was over to Radio Derby’s listeners…
The call went out for entries, many excellent designs were submitted and a shortlist of three was drawn up. Listeners then had the opportunity to vote on their favourite version.
At 8am this morning – broadcast simultaneously by Radio Derby across Derbyshire on 104.5FM, 95.3FM, 96FM and 1116 AM – the winning design was unfurled on flagpoles at Derby Cathedral, Ashbourne Town Hall, Ripley Town Hall and Buxton’s magnificent Dome.
Tim Heap, Subject Manager for Travel and Tourism and Sport and Leisure at the University of Derby Buxton, was interviewed by Radio Derby to explain the importance of celebrating a county’s identity.
“A flag is a symbol. It is created by individuals and their communities to express and confirm cultural identity,” said Tim. “It is also about expressing that to people outside the region.
“Tourism teaching at Buxton involves being at the centre of Derbyshire’s Peak District community as well as examining national and international dimensions. The success of what we do is exemplified by the cross section of students represented on our new Masters programmes.
“This morning’s unveiling of Derbyshire’s new flag on Buxton’s Dome reinforces our connections with the town, the county and the region. The University of Derby Buxton is gaining a great reputation as a centre of expertise in the study of tourism.
“In my first lecture to our Masters students in Tourism, Events Management and Hospitality at 10.30 this morning I’ll be expecting them to undertake semiotic analyses to discover their interpretations and reveal the meanings behind the symbolism.”
Ian Deaville, Building Services Manager for the Buxton Campus, has been at the Devonshire for 34 years. “When I arrived, the flagpole on top of the Dome was little more than a charred wooden stump – it had been struck by lightning,” said Ian.
“I had it replaced with a aluminium flagpole and, for many years while this was the Royal Devonshire Hospital, the flag of St George flew from there.
“Usually the University of Derby’s own flag flies from the mast, but it’s good to have the opportunity to fly Derbyshire’s new county flag as well.”
One of Ian’s team, the intrepid Rob Stocks, climbed nearly 100 feet to the top of the Dome, up a curved ladder hugging the convex quarry tiled roof, to attach the flag to the flagpole and raise it on cue.
“Luckily the rain held off and it wasn’t very windy,” said Rob, “but there was enough of a gust to unfurl it.”
The Derbyshire Flag will be flown on special occasions, and Andy and team hope it will signify to people that Derbyshire’s unique qualities should be celebrated with pride.
To find out more about the new Derbyshire Flag, visit: www.bbc.co.uk/derby.
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For further media information please contact the University of Derby Buxton’s Press and PR Officer, Simon Butt, on 07748 920023 or 01332 591891, or via email at s.butt@derby.ac.uk.
