JUNE 20, 2025 — Voting has opened today to select Cumbria’s first official community flag, according to a government press release, following a county-wide competition that drew nearly 200 entries from residents eager to express their pride and identity through design.
The competition, launched in March by the Lord-Lieutenant and the past High Sheriff of Cumbria, invited individuals, schools, and community groups to submit flag designs that reflect the county’s character and values.
A judging panel composed of representatives from the Lieutenancy, Carlisle Cathedral, and local community leaders has shortlisted six designs.
These are now available for public viewing and voting via an online platform. The vote opened today on Friday, 20 June, and will remain open until 5pm on Sunday, 13 July, coinciding with Five Kings Day, a date marking the historic meeting of five monarchs in Penrith in 1290.
“This has been a remarkable response,” said His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant, Alexander Scott. “It’s clear how much pride people take in their communities, and the designs showed such creativity and care. We’re excited to now hand over the final decision to the people of Cumbria.”
The winning flag will be unveiled at a special ceremony this autumn at Carlisle Cathedral, where all contributors to the competition will be invited as honoured guests. According to the BBC, while Cumbria already has a flag used by the local authority, created in 1974 when the ceremonial county was formed, this new flag will be a community-led symbol, unaffiliated with government or political entities.
Designed to stand alongside the traditional county flags of Cumberland and Westmorland, the Cumbria Community Flag is intended to be a free-to-use emblem for schools, individuals, groups, and businesses. Organizers say it will represent a shared identity, rooted in the county’s landscapes, heritage, and evolving story.
