The variety of flags flown lately at Christ Church has attracted much interest – and a few complaints about the propriety of its displaying flags other than Diocesan or Union.  The use of other flags to affirm particular groups or individuals on significant occasions does no harm, but a surprising amount of good:  most poignantly when the “Stars and Stripes” was raised on the tenth anniversary of “9/11”.  We thought no more of it until a heartfelt note was found later on a scrap of paper in the church:  “Thank you so much for flying my flag.  The love and solidarity of this church means so much on this day to all Americans far from home.”

Planning regulations relating to the flying of flags – liberalised in 2012 – are set out in the Department for Communities and Local Government’s Plain English guide to flying flags of which we are cognisant.  And there are no specific restrictions on the flags that may be flown from churches.  Any appropriate flag may be used, subject to the wishes of the incumbent and PCC.  Westminster Abbey (albeit a Royal Peculiar) flies all sorts.

Flags flown recently at Christ Church include those of:

Australia:  to welcome back (by popular demand) Revd Ray Low on a visit from Boston MA.

India:  on Republic Day, Independence Day and Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday, in appreciation of all the Indian community brings to our church.

Italy:  for a wedding (of two local ice cream sellers); likewise Australia and New Zealand.

Kenya (before) and India (afterwards) for another wedding:  not both at the same time as requested by the vicar (that’s not allowed!)

Saint Helena:  for the wedding of two expatriates from this British overseas territory, many of whom live around Swindon because of its proximity to RAF Brize Norton.  It was a particular pleasure to raise their flag (a very attractive one) for the first time on such a joyful occasion:  it was acquired following a number of memorial services, in anticipation of more.

Scotland:  within minutes of Andy Murray’s victory in the 2013 Wimbledon men’s singles final (and a photograph of it was e-mailed shortly afterwards by Simon to his aunt in Edinburgh!).  This year it was flown for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Uganda:  for the duration of “Le Tour de Lee”, Bishop Rayfield’s “JOGLE” cycle ride to raise money for the Diocesan link with Uganda (he went the hard way – most “end-to-enders” do “LEJOG”) – and of the subsequent visit to Swindon by the Bishop of Luwero who was both surprised and delighted.

Wales:  in joyful celebration of Margaret Williams’s forty years of outstanding licensed lay ministry.

Zambia:  for a reception in the Community Centre for visitors from Livingstone, hosted by Swindon Town FC’s Football in the Community Trust, and attended by the country’s High Commissioner.

Zimbabwe:  for a charity fund-raising evening in the Community Centre.   And a “multi-nation” flag of composite design (49 countries, including 23 of the 32 competing ones), flown throughout the football World Cup as an antidote to nationalism.  Also used on United Nations Day.   Jamaica is on order for a wedding next year, and we watch and wait for STFC’s elevation to the Championship!

We’re grateful to the Friends of Christ Church who recently paid for a new Diocesan flag to replace the existing one in poor condition:  discoloured and dirty from many years of heavy use, darned and patched.  The new one was flown for the first time on the church’s “birthday”, the 163rd anniversary of its dedication on 7th November 1851.  (See photo – but it was hard to take a good one:  a watched flag never unfurls!)

The new Diocesan flag given by the Friends of Christ Church. Modelled anonymously by James Harris (not the Archdeacon’s assistant)!

Obtaining it, though, was easier said than done.  An enquiry to the Archdeacon’s assistant (confusingly, James Harris) about where to buy a new one elicited the helpful suggestion of asking Ailsa Palmer at Christ Church, Swindon:  “They’ve got one.  I saw it the other day.”  It was subsequently procured from J W Plant of Leeds – sewn in full compliance with MoD specifications at surprisingly reasonable cost.

Thanks are also due to Daniel Pitt and Mike Palmer for restoring the flagpole to its full height.  Moved to allow site access for the construction of the Community Centre, it had been reinstated in a new socket, designed to be fixed to a concrete “raft” at surface level, but wrongly installed by the contractors a metre below ground.  Their efforts are also appreciated by Lyn and Margaret Adams, who donated the pole as a memorial to family members and are pleased it’s so well used.

Reinstallation was completed the morning after the Scottish independence referendum, when the Union flag was promptly raised in relief and celebration.  The Queen might or might not have “purred” on the telephone when the Prime Minister informed her of the outcome, but long may she reign over us and them.

Lest anyone is concerned, the additional flags have been obtained at no cost to the church – including one flown for Christian Aid Week, fabricated from scratch using two pieces of fabric, one red, one white.  Its “mirror image” design, of red-on-white on one side, and white-on-red on the reverse, was so convincing that the CAW coordinator thought his official banner had been relocated from the churchyard railings!

BRIAN HARRIS