THE FLAG St Petroc

The Devon Flag is made of three colours - Green (Pantone 348), Black and White. The Green represents the colour of the rolling and lush Devon hills, the Black represents the high and windswept Moors (Dartmoor and Exmoor) and the White represents both the salt spray of Devon's two coastlines and the China Clay/Kaolin industry (and mining in general). Magdalen Court School, Devon Flag

How it began:

The concept of a Devon flag was initially put forward during a discussion on BBC Devon's web-site. The concept gathered momentum and was backed up by further discussion and a web poll that led to a shortlist of designs all of which were judged for suitability as a easily recognisable, strong symbol for Devon.

With almost half the total votes, the design judged the winner was designed by BBC Devon contributor Ryan Sealey. It is his design that you see before you.

Link to Devon Flag Group.

IN HONOUR OF THE FLAG

Dartmouth Mariner and Devon Flag Group member, Kevin Pyne has composed a poem.

The Devon Flag

Across the soft breeze in gentle rhythm
Like the summer seas upon its shore
The warm janners green flag flies
To mark this mornings coming day
St Petroc's long lost Celtic cross is found
The cruciform shape sea spume white
A calm white of saintly patience
The white of clay
Our flag, which on stormy days cracks and shimmers
Up in the salt caked cross trees
Of perhaps a thousand small ships
Marking those who have Devon in their hearts
May it watch over and guide our fishermen and seamen
Until they are safe again
Let it fly high on the church towers as the clock strikes
To bring the farmers
To the green fields which feed a nation
Dumnonia's flag
Its cross is laced with black
As is the Moorland granite
The timeless headstone
Where they have carved our names in the past
And where we will remember those who have served our nation
Yet even as the flag was born..

The Devon Flag has been dedicated to St Petrock (or Petroc), who is a Celtic saint who frequented Devon & Cornwall. There are many churches (and other buildings) named after St Petrock - with Devon having the advantage in numbers.

4 January
7 January
5 March
7 April
May Bank
   Holiday
May/June
3 June
4 June
5 June
6 June
17 June
21/22 June
26 June
8 July
13 July
30 July
10 August
30 August
26 September
2 November
5 November
7 November
8 December
12 December
21/22 December
31 Dec to 6 Jan

(St Rumon of Tavistock and Romansleigh)
(St Brannock of Braunton)
(St Piran - patron saint of tin miners)
(St Brannock - as celebrated in Exeter )
(Anniversary of first time Devon Flag Flown
(at World Gig Chamionship 2003, Isles of Scilly)
(Devon County Show)
(St Kevin)
(St Petroc's day)
(St Boniface of Crediton)
(St Gudwal - hermit of Devon)
(St Nectan)
(Midsummers day)
(St Brannock - another feast day)
(St Urith
(St Juthware)
(Anniversary of battle against Spanish Armada off Devon)
(St Geraint of Dumnonia)
(St Rumon - feast day)
(Anniversary of Drake's Circumnavigation of the World)
(St Cumgar)
(St Kea, Guy Fawkes night, and many local customs)
(St Congar)
(St Budoc of Plymouth)
(St Corentin)
(Midwinter)
(New Years Eve to twelfth night)

Many of the Saints mentioned above have strong links to Devon going back over a thousand years. Many are linked to strange and miraculous tales, and most are still venerated or celebrated each year on the days above.

Last Updated: Tuesday, 20-Dec-2011