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Once again, Yacht and Sailing Club Flags are predominant in our current workload. These burgees and flags remain the bread and butter for us here at Alpha Flags. As sailing season gets underway, it is important to remember that we were and still are a great seafaring nation. You only have to look at our history of established sailing clubs, such as The Royal Thames Yacht Club, which is listed at being one of the oldest clubs in the world. Although we have these wonderful institutions, of old, we always have a new rush of blood to keep up the great tradition.

More recently, Starcross Yacht Club has been bestowed with the British Sailing Club Pathway status. This 250-year-old club has been recognised for its achievements, encouraging young people to take their skills to the next level. It is always a great honour to supply such clubs with flags, identifying their uniqueness and sense of fellowship.

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Star Cross Yacht Club Page

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St. George’s Day is approaching, and the sailing season has begun. It’s time to roll out the appropriate flags. We have received rolls of red and white fabric, signaling the start of an extremely busy period. Scissors are busy cutting, tailor’s chalk is disappearing quickly, and the sewing machines are working at full capacity.

Our national flags are an important part of our heritage, and it’s wonderful to see businesses and individuals ordering their pristine new St. George and Red Ensign flags. Over the past week, the cutting table has been covered in a sea of red and white fabric. While there are many cheap imports available, nothing matches the appeal of quality—especially when it’s offered at sensible prices.

Northern Ireland will be at the forefront of celebrations to commemorate St Patrick’s Day. Falling on 17^th March 2025, crowds are expected to gather for a festival of music, Irish culture, and dance. Belfast leads the way from 13.30 GMT with the parade starting from Belfast City Hall. The carnival will be awash with banners, pom-poms, and flags in a colourful trail throughout the streets, before returning to the hall

See a full list of events here to engage with the People of Ireland as they party in a plethora of dance, drama, pageantry and more.

Sailing and nautical flags:

Darker Blue used in the Union Flag

Lighter Blue standardised in 2003

Fabric printing technology has expanded at an alarming rate over the last decade. This has led to a flood of textile products being sold online. Most of these items, which include flags, are produced with disregard to any specific regulations. The St Andrew’s Cross or Saltire has had so many variations of blue that the Scottish Parliament voted, in 2003, to standardised the shade of blue to Pantone 300 c. However, it is difficult to implement this rule due to an abundance of overseas manufacturers. At the best of times, blue colouring is notorious for inconsistencies due to unstable pigments, application surfaces, and other various reasons. Regardless, most reputable flag manufacturers endeavor to get the best possible match within reason.

When produced per se (by itself), the shade of blue for the St Andrew’s Cross flag should be Pantone 300c (or as near as damn it). This is probably better implemented by a printing process when the values can be adjusted. When it comes to a fully sewn flag, there are limited shades of blue on the MoD specification chart. Again, a good flag producer will use the closest blue available on the colour chart.

It is worth noting that, when the Saltire is incorporated within the Union flag, the shade of blue is darker. This has become accepted over the years due to historical factors when the durability of dyes was important.

Celebrations are taking place this year to mark the end of WWII. The Royal British Legion, among many, is urging Second World War veterans to sign up for VE Day 80th anniversary events in 2025.

To commemorate this event, there will be extensive media coverage as the world gathers around 100,000 war memorials. On the 8th of May, old soldiers will proudly display their medals and flags to honour the fallen.

While no official flags have been commissioned for the day, various flag companies have created their own versions. We are already noticing an increase in orders for the Union and St George flags.

There are 35 World War II memorials in Plymouth, all of which are maintained by Plymouth City Council. These shrines are more important today than they ever were. ‘Lest We Forget,’ a phrase from Rudyard Kipling’s 1897 poem “Recessional”; warns against forgetting those who have died in war and the reasons for their fight. We hope that the world will always remember.

VE Day end of WWII celebrations

As Storm Bert rips through the UK, the Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning. Strong winds and torrential rainfall wreak havoc across the board. Although it was predicted to end on Wednesday, warnings are still in place, especially in parts of Northern Scotland. The South of England is also liable for more heavy rain and strong winds on Wednesday. Due to the unpredictability of the storm, it is inadvisable to fly your flag. It is noticeable that many flags have been left out during this time. Fortunately, some have remained intact but others are looking the worst for wear. Flags can be quite costly, especially the larger sizes. Taking your flags in during inclement weather will save you from having to replace them.

The definition of a yacht & sailing club burgees can be described as flags of a recreational sailing organisation. The term burgee usually applies to a triangular pennant, tapering, or swallow-tailed pennant Known also as a pennon and pendant, it is a long narrow flag that is wider at the hoist and narrows towards the fly end.

Yacht and sailing clubs will have a unique flag/burgee which helps to identify their organisations boats. The burgee can be flown from a high position such as the rigging or at the bow of the vessel.

In the past, burgees were made from a woolen cloth called bunting. The design was either screen printed, hand painted or sewn in a cloth facbric. Today, in our fast paced world, if a large quantity is required, the flags are usually printed. This can be screen printed or digital sublimation. Other production methods can be used such as semi printed and sewn or simply hand/machine sewn.

The fabrics have changed over the years and now woven or knitted polyester are used for the main field of the flag. The design is either printed straight onto the flag, sewn back to back, or appliqued. The appliqued version design can be knitted polyester or cotton.

We produce a wide range of yacht & sailing club burgees and sailing flags from 12” to 2yds. There is no minimum quantity, and small orders are welcome. See our Yacht Club page for more information.

Yacht Club Etiquette

A limited amount of Yacht Clubs have been granted permission to fly a Defaced Red Ensign. This is regarded as an privilege and an honour.

If your club meets specific registration criteria, you are allowed to fly A Red or Defaced Red Ensign. See list below:

• Brixham Yacht Club
• Royal Dart Yacht Club
• Royal Fowey Yacht Club
• Lloyds Yacht Club
• Royal Lymington Yacht Club
• Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club
• Royal Portsmouth Corinthian Yacht Club
• Royal St George Yacht Club
• Royal Victoria Yacht Club
• Royal Windermere Yacht Club
• Royal Yachting Association
• St Helier Yacht Club
• West Mersea Yacht Club

On researching the history of flagmaking, we came across the names Benjamin and Thomas Edgington. Listed as a rope, tent sail, and flagmakers, the industry was founded in 1805. Originally setting up the business as a partnership, the brothers were to split in 1823. John Edgington, Thomas’s son, took over his father’s business, moving to the Old Kent Road in 1832, and continued to trade until 1967 when the camping firm Blacks took over. The successors of the Edgington family eventually merged with Blacks in 1976 to become Black and Edgington. Although Blacks were to dominate the camping and outdoor industries, the firm was still listed as selling flags. One news article stated that Black and Edgington had made flags since the 18^th century.

Eventually, the name Edgington was dropped with Blacks now being the sole business name. However, Blacks went into administration in 2012 and was bought by JD Sports and Fashion.

It has been a long journey from sail-making, and chandlery suppliers, to canvas, flags, sportswear, and fashion.