COMPETITION | Flag for Moray

MORAY and Banffshire Lieutenancies are set to unfurl brand-new flags this year – and locals are being given the chance to design them. A competition inviting members of the public to create flags for both areas will launch on Monday, February 27, and run for four weeks.

The public will then again be involved as they choose their favourite. Winning flags will be registered with the Lyon Court and the Flag Institute's UK Flag Registry.

Contest winners will be invited to do the flag-raising honours at official launch ceremonies in Moray and Banffshire in late summer.

Flags are an ancient art form that developed especially to clearly display allegiance and identity. They have subsequently become the premier medium for expressing social pride, indeed it is difficult to imagine events as diverse as sports matches, military parades or musical festivals without a wide range of flags being flown.

A flag for Moray will be a free, public symbol for all to use that will:

• Raise recognition and awareness of the area nation-wide
• Express the pride in our local community
• Celebrate the heritage and culture of our corner of the country
  

The Competition
Individuals, schools and other groups are invited to create proposals in-line with the competition terms and conditions (below) and bearing in mind the Flag Institute design guidelines.
The deadline for submissions is Friday 24^th March 2023.

An assessment panel - including representatives from the community councils, Lord Lieutenancy, local schools and community care as well as the Flag Institute and the Lyon Court - will then choose a final set of designs to be put to a public vote. The designs will all be drawn to the same standard.

The public vote will be held through a combination on physical, postal and online voting in May/June. The winner will be announced once registered in the Lyon Court’s Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland and the Flag Institute’s UK Flag Registry.

Contact
Further information, downloadable competition packs can be found via:

• Website: www.lordlieutenantmoray.co.uk

• Email: countyflags@hnmedia.co.uk

Useful Links
In addition to the information provided in this pack these links will be helpful:

• Court of the Lord Lyon: www.courtofthelordlyon.scot

• Lyon Court Honorary Vexillologist: www.vexillologist.scot/

• Flag Institute: www.flaginstitute.org

Flag Design Guidelines
Below are some basic principles of flag design. View History of Moray for some inspiration.
Further information can be found in the Flag Institute Guiding Principles of Flag Design, available as a free download at: http://www.flaginstitute.org/w...

Keep it Simple
The flag should be simple enough that a child can draw it from memory; else it will be too hard for people remember and reproduce.

Use Meaningful Symbolism
The flag's elements, colours, or patterns should relate to what it will represent. The flag should symbolise the area as a whole rather than any other entities which are better served by having their own flags (i.e. try not to symbolise specific towns or the country)

Try to Use Two to Three Basic Colours
Limit the number of colours on the flag to three, which contrast well and come from the standard colour set: red, orange, yellow, green, light blue, dark blue, purple, black and white. Dark and light colours will contrast well against each other, in particular yellow or white will work well on any of the other colours and vice versa.

No Lettering or Seals
Avoid the use of writing of any kind or an organisation’s badge, seal or coat of arms. Writing and other intricate detail is difficult to see at a distance and will likely be unrecognisable when the flag is flying in the wind. It is better to use elements from an appropriate coat of arms as symbols on the flag.

Be Distinctive
Avoid duplicating other flags, if designs look too similar then the flags could be mis-identified.

How Will it Fly in the Wind?
Remember, the design must be distinctive when flying on a high pole in a strong wind, and when hanging in windless conditions too. Also remember that it will almost always have ripples caused by the wind.

Helpful Tips for Flag Design
Flag design expert, Philip Tibbetts, has much experience and working with local schools and communities. Here are his tips to help inspire budding designers.

Getting Started
When looking to design a flag for a town or area begin by looking at a number of sources for inspiration to find something that is important and unique. Such elements include:
· Meaning of the areas name
· Legends and folklore
· Traditional emblems and colours
· Local people, achievements and industries

There are many traditional flag symbols that could be adapted to represent aspects of Sutherland such as the stars or wildcats.

Terms & Conditions
Terms and Conditions:
Eligibility
· This is a community competition. It is open to individuals and groups
· For all entrants under the age of 16 an adult will be required to approve the entry and agree to these Terms and Conditions. The adult may be the entrant’s parent, guardian or teacher. The adult must provide their own contact details (not the child’s).

Requirements
· Entries may be constructed in any medium and submitted in A4 size
· All entries must be the original work of the entrant(s) and must not infringe the rights of any other party.
· By entering the competition you release your design into the public domain in order for it to become a freely useable symbol for all.
· You agree to allow your design to undergo professional manipulation to make it suitable for production.
· The competition organisers accept no responsibility if entrants ignore these Terms and Conditions and entrants agree to indemnify the organisers from any breach of these Terms and Conditions.

Submission
· Entries can be sent electronically, via post or in person.. Addresses are detailed below on the entry form page
· Please package postal entry carefully to avoid damage in transit.
· Entries must be accompanied by a fully completed and signed entry form.
· Further copies of the entry form are available to be picked up from: Moray Council Annexe, High Street, Elgin; Northern Scot Offices 74-76 South Street, Elgin, Moray Chamber of Commerce, 164 High Street, Elgin, Pozzi, 8 High St, Buckie, Visit Moray Speyside, Enterprise Park, 2 Innovation Way Unit 15, Horizon Building, Forres.
· Please ensure your name and contact details are clearly included.
· Entries cannot be returned and may be archived or destroyed. Please remember to retain a copy of your designs.
· The personal data provided will only be used for the purposes of administering the competition and will be destroyed after its conclusion.
· Unsuccessful entrants will not be contacted in respect of their entry and no feedback on any entry will be provided.
· The decision of the assessment panel and the result of the public vote are final

Disclaimer
· The organisers reserve the right to disqualify any entry which breaches any of the Terms and Conditions.

Instructions:
Please complete the entry form and either submit with your design electronically to countyflags@hnmedia.co.uk or by post/drop in to addresses:

Moray Council Annexe, High Street, Elgin;
Northern Scot Offices 74-76 South Street, Elgin,
Moray Chamber of Commerce, 164 High Street, Elgin,
Pozzi, 8 High St, Buckie,
Visit Moray Speyside, Enterprise Park, 2 Innovation Way Unit 15, Horizon Building, Forres.

Schools only – a collection can be arranged from your school office. Please send an email to the above address to make arrangements.