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Black Country, England (proposal)

by Philip Tibbetts, 22 March 2008

About the flag

About the Flag

I am championing the aim for the Black Country region of the British Midlands to get its own flag. Yesterday's Express & Star newspaper featured an article on my flag and the other symbols that I have designed:

By creating a standard, Philip Tibbetts hopes he will put the Black Country region on the official map. The unique flag has been designed to help the region achieve official recognition. The engineering project manager, who indulges in a spot of graphic design in his spare time, has also designed a coat of arms and tartan-style plaid pattern.
Mr. Tibbetts's efforts will add weight to the campaign, which has been launched by Linda Waltho, the MP for Stourbridge. She recently tabled a motion in the House of Commons calling for the Black Country to finally be recognised by the Ordnance Survey. The Black Country is said to have gained its name in the mid-19th century from the smoke from the many thousands of ironworking foundries and forges. Other theories mention the abundant coal in the region. The Black Country Chamber of Commerce describes the region as the four boroughs of Wolverhampton, Dudley, Walsall and Sandwell.
Mr. Tibbetts' black, red and yellow flag is divided by a diagonal cross taken from the ancient Mercian flag and features a chain to represent the heavy industry which used to dominate the area. The four arms of the cross represent the four boroughs of the Black Country and the flag's motto is 'Black by day and red by night'. Mr. Tibbetts, who grew up in Halesowen but is now based in Preston, said he hoped the designs would boost pride in the area.

The flag is made but currently used mainly at promotional events and not actually flown. I have recently been interviewed about the flag on BBC Radio and www.bbc.co.uk/blackcountry now features an article on the flag and an article on its meaning. I've also got the support of local personality and historian Carl Chinn. Owing to my radio interview a local clothing company has got in touch with the idea of using the flag as part of their designs which I have fully agreed to.
Philip Tibbetts, 22 March 2008

Coat of Arms

by Philip Tibbetts, 22 March 2008

The coat of arms is featured at the centre of the flag.
Philip Tibbetts, 22 March 2008