
The Mayor of Minehead Cllr Leslie Smith was invited with other dignitaries to the unveiling of the new Exmoor Flag. The Ceremony took place on Platform 1 at 11.15 am and in the photograph on the left is the Winner of the Exmoor Flag Competition Jenny Stevens with Johnny Kingdom and members of her family.
The actual competition had 261 different designs, some of which were from the local area and some from as far as Australia and America. The judges managed to choose five finalists and the public was asked to vote for the winning design. The winner was Jenny Stevens who had 41% of all the votes cast. Jenny lives in London with her family and has a love of Exmoor going back to her childhood, the family is also passionate about flags so the competition was one she had to enter. Jenny's design theme tells you about Exmoor's varied terrain, sea meets river, meets cliff path, meets moorland, meets forest, meets wildlife. Jenny was presented with the first Exmoor Flag by local celebrity Johnny Kingdom, the flag was hand made by Robin Ashburner in Exford. Jenny also received prizes which had been donated by local businesses.
The four other finalists were, Martin Shoots, Kevin Sandiford, Jamie Loudon and Kathryn Roseveare who should be congratulated for their efforts, their prizes included a reproduction of their own flag design from James Guscottt of Minehead Active Signs.
Exmoor is the only area with a national park to have its own flag and it is hoped that many business's and homes will fly the flag and help promote the area.
All Photographs used are by kind permission of Mr D Sanders.
In the photograph below left to right The Mayor of South Molton Cllr Stephen Lock, The Mayor of Watchet Cllr Loretta Whetlor, Deputy Mayor of Barnstaple Julie Hunt, the Mayor of Ilfracombe Cllr George Squires All photographs with kind permission of Mr D Sanders. The picture on the right gives a flavour of the day.