Herefordshire flag to fly at Department for Communities and Local Government
The flag representing the historic county of Herefordshire has been hoisted above the department's offices.
To celebrate the important place counties play in the nation’s cultural heritage Secretary of State Eric Pickles has asked that English county standards be flown alongside the Union Flag outside DCLG’s Eland House headquarters in Victoria.
Mr Pickles raised the first flag - for his adopted home county of Essex - in a ceremony also attended earlier this year by celebrity astrologer and long-time English county campaigner Russell Grant.
Flags are being flown for a week at a time in alphabetical order or - in cases such as Cornwall and Yorkshire - to coincide with particular county days.
Councillors John Stone and Roger Phillips with the Herefordshire county flag.
Eric Pickles said:
The Union Flag rightly has pride of place outside the department but I’m delighted it will now be flown alongside our traditional and ceremonial county flags.
England’s counties continue to form an important part of our cultural and local identity in this country and many people remain deeply attached to their home county - both the traditional ‘cricket’ counties and in some cases their more modern administrative successors. This sense of pride and shared identity is 1 of the things that binds communities together and it’s right that the government department responsible for communities and local government should be actively recognising the important role they play.
Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Herefordshire, The Countess of Darnley, said:
Herefordshire has a rich and diverse heritage of which we are justifiably proud.
The county’s blend of the traditional and the contemporary gives it a unique character which draws visitors back year after year.
Its many traditional businesses are developing new locally sourced products with great success, whilst many new enterprises are delivering niche high-end technological products and broadening our employment base.
For these reasons I’m delighted that Herefordshire is being recognised for all it is and stands for at this time of Advent, as its flag flies above the offices of the Department for Communities and Local Government in central London.
Councillor John Stone, chairman of Herefordshire Council, said:
I’m delighted that Herefordshire’s flag will be flown outside the Department for Communities and Local Government.
Herefordshire is one of our most rural counties with agriculture still playing a vital role in the local economy.
There are increasing numbers of visitors who appreciate Herefordshire’s magnificent countryside and tranquillity as well as its history and traditions.
Tourism is also important to the local economy as are our plethora of small businesses, which will benefit from the imminent improvement in broadband coverage.
Herefordshire is proud of its past but is also looking forward to the future with high standards in its schools and colleges and wants our young people to stay and live and work in the county.
Herefordshire has a sense of identity which has served it well in the past and will do so in the future and it is fitting that the county flag will be flying outside the department in London.
Further information
The department is obliged to fly the European Union flag during Europe Week (week beginning 9 May) under Article 7(2) of EC Regulation 1828/2006.
The Herefordshire flag has been kindly loaned by the local authority at no charge.
Photographs of the county flags will be added to the DCLG Flickr channel