printed 30 August 2024
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A South Lanarkshire church is in the present day launching a contest to create a brand new official flag for the historic village it serves.
Bothwell Parish Church teamed up with a neighborhood growth charity, Bothwell Futures, and Philip Tibbetts, Scotland’s official flag knowledgeable, to pick out a successful design that the entire group can rally behind and be happy with.
The church, half medieval and half Victorian, is celebrating its 625-year anniversary this yr and the brand new flag will fly from its tower and is anticipated for use at native companies and group occasions.
Individuals of all ages are inspired to enter the free competitors and an data pack units out pointers on what to consider when making a design and how you can submit it.
The village boasts an extended 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 ascertain a Christian settlement in an already pagan, sacred temple within the sixth century.
The Battle of Bothwell Bridge befell on 22 June 1679 and was fought between authorities troops and militant Presbyterian Covenanters.
Bothwell Fortress is Scotland’s largest and most interesting Thirteenth-century stone citadel however regardless of such a wealthy historical past, the village has by no means had an official flag.
Neighborhood cohesion
Rev Ian Machar, minister at Bothwell Parish Church, mentioned: “It is a particular yr as we have fun 625 years of worship in our constructing.
“I am glad the church is working with the complete group to create a historical past that will likely be utilized by all, not simply on our tower.
“All through my time as minister at Bothwell Parish Church, I’ve labored to convey individuals collectively.
“Sadly, it turned clear that no matter flag we flew from the Tower, whether or not it was the Saltire or the Union Flag, it sadly didn’t create unity.
“Just like the Church, Bothwell Future has the identical ethos of working collectively for the nice of all and bringing the group collectively.
“We hope the brand new flag will have fun the heritage and tradition of our nook of the nation and be a supply of satisfaction.”
Mr Mazcher mentioned Kirk Session determined to fee a brand new flag for the tower and the Flag Institute put him in contact with Mr Tibbetts, the primary ‘honorary vexillologist’ at Lyon Court docket.
The flag specialist helped put collectively the competitors pack and took care of the registration course of at Lyon Court docket.
Entries to the competitors will likely be judged by a committee made up of Mr Machar, Mr Tibbetts, representatives from Bothwell Future and key group companions.
4 entries will likely be shortlisted and area people members will vote for his or her favourite design and a winner will likely be chosen.
The successful entry will likely be stored secret till it’s formally unveiled later this yr and native dignitaries and group representatives will likely be invited to attend.
The price of the flag will likely be met by Bothwell Futures with a grant.
Mr Mazcher mentioned: “The winner of the brand new flag will make historical past as it can turn into our village flag when it’s registered at Lyon Court docket.
“Because the world round us modifications, it can stay a relentless for years to return, lengthy after we’re gone.
“Our tower flag is an iconic picture of our village and will probably be nice to see the brand new group flag flying
“I might encourage everybody to take part and have a go, who is aware of you may simply win.”
Mr Tibbetts carried out a scholarly inquiry into the flag on behalf of Lord Lyon’s Court docket, Scotland’s heraldic authority.
He mentioned: “Bothwell is a city with such a wealthy historical past of castles, warfare and artwork, every with its personal symbols.
“I am actually wanting ahead to seeing the designs the group comes up with”
Kieron Goodman, performing chair of Bothwell Future, mentioned: “After we lately opened our new ‘group hub’ within the village we ran a small competitors with native residents, group teams and colleges to design a brand new emblem for the house.
“It was superb to see the unimaginable effort put into the entries, and vastly rewarding to see the winners and runners-up celebrated for his or her expertise.
“Bothwell Futures is delighted to be supporting this distinctive competitors, and we have now little doubt that the identical superb effort and expertise will likely be on show with aspirational designs from our area people.”
