Fly your flags of hope for Somerset Day celebration

By Good News Post

A #flytheflagforsomerset campaign has been launched with 100 days to go until Somerset Day on 11th May.

People are being encouraged to Fly the Flag for Somerset to help bring a message of hope during a challenging Covid19 era. The Flag below was chosen in a competition six years ago while King Alfred the Great won a public vote to be the official ambassador for the county.

In recent years before COVID19, Somerset Day celebrated with big and small events across the county. Two years ago, an extraordinary historical 30 foot King Alfred the Great portrait was painted at The King Alfred School Academy (TKASA) in Highbridge as part of the celebrations.

King Alfred is one of the great historical figures of the world, and spent his years of success and victory in Somerset.

A Somerset Day spokesperson said: “The Somerset Day organisation feel this will be a great opportunity to send out a positive message of hope and celebration across the county as we look forward to better times after a challenging year.

“Whether it’s the distinctive Somerset flag with its bright red dragon waving from a flagpole, or your own painted picture in your front window, we are hoping that this year the county will be turned into a sea of Somerset flags in celebration of Somerset Day.

“As we launch our new campaign we need your help to spread the word. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter or tell your business contacts on LinkedIn.

“Share our posts and spread the news about #flytheflagforsomerset and #somersetday. We can’t wait to share more over the next 100 days!”

Two years ago the TKASA, part of The Priory Learning Trust, designed the King Alfred artwork to mix history with the modern world. It was unveiled to the school’s 1200 students alongside a day of fun educational activities including other artwork, historical re-enactments, assemblies, and competitions.

To celebrate Somerset Day there was a student battle of the bands, a Viking re-enactment, a BARB hovercraft rescue, and visits from St John’s Ambulance, local artists, police and more. The Voice singing star Harrisen Larner-Maine – former student of Worle Community School Academy – showcased his new album.

King Alfred finished 14th on a 2002 list of greatest ever Britons, with Winston Churchill winning the poll.