September 2004
Devon Flag Flying High | |
|  | | The Devon flag is proudly dispayed in a couple of places on the new air ambulance |
| | Devon's brand spanking new air ambulance took to the skies for the first time in August 2004, replacing the charity's orginal chopper which was in service for 12 years. And the new vehicle is proudly sporting the Devon flag as chosen by readers of this website. |
| | | It's just over two years since readers of the BBC Devon website produced a new flag to represent the county.
It followed a feature and discussion about Devon's celtic roots. We offered a chance for contributors to submit their designs and two independant polls decided the winning emblem, sent in by Ryan Sealey from Ashburton, south Devon.
 | | This was the fastest selling regional flag for one manufacturer. |
The flag went into production and has since gone from strength to strength - it was the fastest selling regional flag for one manufacturer, Mr Flag.
In a very short time all sorts of products - which incorporated the new Devon flag - began appearing on the market, from clocks to cufflinks, windsocks to bumper stickers, duvet covers to rugby shirts to name but a few.
It's been spotted at rugby, football and cricket matches, on civic buildings and lifeboats, it's been rowed across oceans and painted on faces and has even caused a planning rumpus when one patriotic Devonian erected a flag pole in his back garden without permission from his local authority.
Now the flag has really taken to the skies.
 | | Flying the flag for Devon |
The next time you hear the familiar whirl of the rotor blades as the Devon Air Ambulance speeds overhead, look up. You may just be able to see the familiar green, black and white emblem being proudly sported on the front and side of the life-saving helicopter.
Shirley Turner is the Community Fundraising Manager for the Air Ambulance. She says it's a matter of pride. "When we discovered that Devon had a flag we thought it only right and proper that it should be displayed on the new helicopter," she told BBC Devon Online.
"We spoke to the Devon Flag group and told them we needed a rather special 'bumper sticker' and they sent us the larger versions that you can see on the vehicle.
"Devon has a new flag. Devon has a new Air Ambulance - it seemed appropriate to link the two. After all it is the people of Devon who raise the funds to keep the helicopter flying."
 | | Up, up and away. Flying high |
The operational costs of the air ambulance are around £1.8 million a year but it provides a service to many rural and coastal parts of the county that would be impossible for land ambulances to attend.
For it to be displaying the new Devon flag is a real feather in the cap for the small group of people who have put in the effort to promote it.
As with many flags, the only thing that makes it 'official' is its popularity. If it doesn't fly, it dies.
But this flag has really caught the county's imagination. There are some who don't like the design, there are others who only relate it to local sports teams but whatever your opinion it cannot be denied it's becoming a real talking point throughout Devon - and further afield.
It's been the subject of a question on quiz show 'Fifteen To One' and featured in news reports on BBC Radio 4 and in the national papers.
Now one of the county's most recognisable organisations has decided to fly under its colours, it looks as though the green, black and white is probably here to stay.
And we're proud too. Proud that it all started here on BBC Devon Online. | | | |
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