printed 15 January 2025
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A brand new neighborhood flag flies proudly from the tower of a historic South Lanarkshire church.
Bothwell Parish Church launched a contest final 12 months to create an official flag for the historic village.
A design submitted by 11-year-old Ava McBain, a pupil at Muarez Major College, was chosen because the winner by a judging panel which included parish minister, the Rev Ian Mazcher.
The profitable design featured a easy map highlighting the Clyde flowing west of the village, incorporating the first college colours full with the distinctive purple sandstone of Bothwell Fort.
The flag will now signify the village in official capability and at neighborhood occasions for generations to return.
Greater than 200 entries had been submitted and a couple of,400 votes solid within the competitors, launched by Bothwell Parish Church as a part of its 625th anniversary celebrations.
Neighborhood pleasure
Ava, stated: “After I consider Bothwell, I consider the River Clyde and Bothwell Fort, so I needed to embody them within the flag.
“It is superb that I gained, I am unable to consider it.”
Bothwell Parish Church teamed up with a neighborhood growth charity, Bothwell Futures, and Philip Tibbetts, Scotland’s official flag skilled, to pick a profitable design that the entire neighborhood can rally behind and be pleased with.
The village boasts a protracted and dramatic historical past that parallels the historical past of the nation and the Romans had a camp at close by Bothwellhau.
St. Mungo, the founder and patron saint of Glasgow, despatched his acolytes to determine a Christian settlement in an already pagan, sacred temple within the sixth century.
The Battle of Bothwell Bridge came about on 22 June 1679 and was fought between authorities troops and militant Presbyterian Covenanters.
Bothwell Fort is Scotland’s largest and best Thirteenth-century stone fortress however regardless of such a wealthy historical past, the village has by no means had an official flag till now.
It was formally unveiled at a particular ceremony in Bothwell Parish Church final Saturday, presided over by the Lord Lyon King of Arms, Dr Joseph Morrow, Deputy Lord Lieutenant Andrew Braidwood and Mr Tibbetts, Honorary Vexillologist of Lyon Courtroom.
Additionally current had been Margaret Cooper, Provost of South Lanarkshire and Rev Derek Gunn, Moderator of the Forth Valley of The Presbytery and Clydesdale, Church of Scotland.
Mr Machar stated: “It has been a privilege to run this flag competitors and see the unimaginable creativity and fervour of our neighborhood for Bothwell.
“It is a fantastic second to announce Ava because the winner – her design actually captures the spirit of our village.”
“This flag will function an enduring image of our shared historical past and pleasure, it is heartwarming to see the complete neighborhood come collectively to make it occur.”
Mr Tibbetts added: “Our flag is an fascinating and significant illustration of the historical past and spirit of Bothwell.”
Dr Morrow stated the flag was a “highly effective” image of unity, neighborhood and pleasure.
“Ava’s design captures the center of Bothwell, and it is nice to see it formally registered and flying right here as we speak,” he added.
“This flag will function a everlasting image for the village, celebrating its wealthy historical past and its shiny future.”
