Shortlisted flag design created by 9-year-old Jack!

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A design by a Duns Primary School pupil was among the five shortlisted entries in the recent Flag for Berwickshire competition.

Organised by Berwickshire Civic Society, the competition invited designs for a new, official county flag.

The creator of one of the shortlisted entries was Jack Dixon, who lives in Ellemford. Jack, who will celebrate his 10^th birthday at the end of March, is a primary five pupil at the school.

Jack was surprised and delighted to be called up at a recent assembly, when Depute Head Teacher Rachel Foy presented him with a certificate of commendation in front of the entire school.

The certificate was signed by the Berwickshire Civic Society President, Lady Brigid McEwen, and Chair Adrian Smith.

Jack’s mum, Sarah Dixon, said: “Jack will absolutely treasure this for a lifetime, and it makes him so proud (and his little brother and sister, and his whole family!) to be part of this community. He worked so hard and it’s such a great achievement that he got through to this stage.”

When Jack submitted his entry, he explained: “There are lots of seagulls in Berwickshire. The coastlines and boats are amazing. When I go on the bus, I look at the fields. It makes me feel happy.” The black B on the left of the redrawn design is for Berwickshire. The lines represent the sea and the land and their importance to Berwickshire.

During the competition, Individuals, schools and other groups were invited to create proposals and submit them online, by post or in the Bavs charity shops.

Five designs from more than 200 entries were shortlisted by the judges, drawn to the same flag standard, and approved by the Court of the Lord Lyon. They then went to a public vote and the winning design was announced in October. The Berwickshire flag is now registered in the Lyon Court’s Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland and the Flag Institute’s UK Flag Registry. The flag is freely available for anyone to use. Berwickshire Civic Society is in the process of planning an official flag-raising ceremony.

The winning flag’s chain represents the both the border and the binding link between sea and land, and between Scotland and England. The fish represents our maritime heritage, and the ear of corn/barley shows our roots in agriculture and the land.

Adrian Smith said: “We were delighted with the enthusiastic response to the competition – particularly from young people and our schools. Jack’s design was the only entry created by a young person to make the shortlist and it was a remarkable achievement. He truly deserves the recognition from Berwickshire Civic Society and his school, and we wish him all the very best in the future.”

“I hope the new Flag for Berwickshire is a symbol that we can all unite around. We can use it as a flag, an emblem on our products and services, or as a car sticker – but always with pride in our beautiful Berwickshire county.”