The county flag is to fly over the county show n September, for the first time ever. When we have pictures of the flag raised over the event we can all ask the Eden Visitor Centre [formerly Tourist Information Centre] in Kirkby Stephen why they refuse to fly or display the county flag and suggest that it might perhaps be a good idea to sell it as well.
Westmorland Flag (Illustration: Jason Saber)
I called in to the Upper Eden Visitor Centre today [28th Aug] and explained that the flag is available and will be promoted throughout Westmorland with a launch point being the County Show. They are happy to look at stocking the flag if commercially viable and will look into flying one on the building. The obvious immediate problem is that the Centre does not have a permanent flagpole socket! Of more concern is the fact that Kirkby Stephen Town Council is on the list of supporters drawn up when the flag society was testing support but I have yet to see one on their premises or above the Link centre which acts as a focal point of their activities. There is also a Walkers are Welcome group within the area but the only flag I saw in Kirkby Stephen today was over an outdoor shop which, I understand, is flying it as a personal protest against changes happening at the local Rugby Club. I’ll keep monitoring the situation and hope to give more positive feedback in due course.