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BBC News
13 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Voting for Cumbria's new community flag begins
Voting on the design for a county's new community flag is open after almost 200 entries were narrowed down to Lord-Lieutenant and the past High Sheriff of Cumbria launched a competition in March for residents to create the winning entry will be used to celebrate the region's history, express community pride and increase recognition and awareness of the said "creative and heartfelt designs" were put forward by individuals, schools and community groups. Votes can be submitted online until 13 July. The flag will have no connection to any government or political process and will be available solely for use by individuals or groups wishing to express their connection to the competition is being run with support from Cumberland Council, Westmorland and Furness Council, Carlisle Cathedral, the University of Cumbria and the Flag Institute. A panel of judges, made up of representatives from the Lieutenancy, Carlisle Cathedral and community leaders reviewed the entries and shortlisted the six designs now included in the public winner will be revealed at an unveiling ceremony at Carlisle Cathedral later this those who submitted a design will be invited to attend as guests. His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant, Alexander Scott, said there had been a "remarkable response" to the said: "It's clear how much pride people take in their communities, and the designs showed such creativity and care."We're excited to now hand over the final decision to the people of Cumbria." Cumbria already has flag representing the local authority, which was created in 1974 when the ceremonial county was is flown from official buildings, including council offices. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
08-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Essex Police Museum gives insight into police life during WW2
Museum gives insight into police life during WW2 8 minutes ago Share Save Shivani Chaudhari BBC News, Essex Share Save Essex Police Special constables, pictured in Witham in 1939, were vital to the police during the war A museum has given a glimpse of what it was like to be a police officer during World War Two as the country prepares to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. Huge crowds took to the streets on 8 May 1945 to celebrate after nearly six years of war. In a blog post, Essex Police Museum explained that the war presented new challenges to policing: air raid precautions, ration fraud and captured enemies all needed to be dealt with, on top of the usual crimes. During the war, 291 officers left the county's police forces to serve in the Armed Forces, and teenagers as young as 15 were recruited as messengers. Essex Police PC Alexander Scott, 26, and Detective Maurice Lee, 27, were killed in a German air raid outside police headquarters Essex Police The left side of the bombed police headquarters fared slightly better than the right side, thanks to the use of sandbags In total, 32 officers from the Essex, Colchester and Southend forces were killed on military service and two more died in the bombing of police headquarters in Springfield, Chelmsford. In November 1940, a German aircraft dropped bombs across Springfield and one landed in front of two officers at the main entrance of police headquarters, killing them. While sandbags saved the building from any structural problems, there was a lot of damage to the roof, windows and ceilings. An assessment showed that the clock had stopped at 19:17, the exact time of the blast, and not a single window remained intact. The second bomb landed in the chief constable's garden opposite the room where an officer named Capt Peel and his wife were eating dinner, but they managed to escape. Sandbags were stacked as high as the first floor at the old Southend Police Station in Alexandria Street. Police buildings were also subject to blackout regulations, and this combined with the sandbagging and other precautions caused stuffy and unpleasant conditions. Essex Police Outside the old Southend Police Station in Alexandria Street, sandbags were stacked as high as the first floor Insp Harold Tomalin wrote a letter describing his experience as an officer in World War Two. The letter painted a picture of the impact the war had on many officers. He said: "Whilst off duty fire-watching, we usually sat up late in case of emergency duty and then slept rough, fully clothed on camp beds, in small rooms with other men." Many officers were staying away from their families and had to be ready for duty 24/7. Essex Police Inspector Harold Tomalin wrote a letter explaining what it was like to be in the force during the war Judith Tomalin, daughter of Insp Tomalin, lived at 31 Kingston Crescent, Chelmsford, during the war and said she was often frightened by the air raids. "Some of the bombs that were dropped were called incendiary bombs and they were mostly used at night time," she said. Women and some older citizens used to be put on fire-watching duties, she said. They would warn everyone that there was a fire using a rattle and blowing whistles to ensure people knew they were in danger. There was an air raid shelter behind the house and Ms Tomalin said: "I did sleep down there a couple of times – but I didn't like it." Essex Police There was an air raid shelter in the back garden of 31 Kingston Crescent The VE Day celebrations were some of the happiest memories for local children, said Ms Tomalin. "Well, that was a very happy time... on VE night there was a huge bonfire put in the middle of the skid pan and we all went down to it," she said. "Instead of Guy Fawkes... Hitler was on the top". Essex Police An effigy of Hitler was put on top of the bonfire, said Judith Tomalin Essex Police Essex Police said every year on Remembrance Day, everyone present at HQ gathered by the stone for a short memorial service and moment of silence Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
24-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
Competition opens to design new Cumbria community flag
Flags can be used to express identity, allegiances and social pride, and are seen everywhere from government buildings, to festivals and football unlike many English counties, Cumbria does not have an official community is why the Lord-Lieutenant and the High Sheriff of Cumbria have launched a new competition for residents to create a design for a county Alexander Scott said the new emblem would "provide an opportunity for us to come together and celebrate our shared identity". High Sheriff Chris Holmes said the flag would be free to use for anyone "proud of Cumbria" and encouraged local people to get involved."The rich heritage of the county does provide plenty of inspiration for designing a flag," he said. Expression of pride Any member of the community is welcome to submit an entry - and a competition pack is available on the Lord-Lieutenant's winning flag will be used to celebrate the region's history, express community pride and increase recognition and awareness of Cumbria, he said. However, it will have no connection to any government or political process, and will be available soley for use by individuals or groups wishing to express their connection to the already has flag representing the local authority, which was created in 1974 when the ceremonial county was formed. It is flown from official buildings, including council Cumbria competition is being run with support from Cumberland Council, Westmorland and Furness Council, Carlisle Cathedral, the University of Cumbria and the Flag Institute. 'Ancient origins' Philip Tibbetts is a communities vexillologist - an expert who studies flags and related emblems, at the Flag has previously worked with communities in Penrith, Appleby, Nenthead and Wreay to develop flags for the said: "Given the ancient origins and unique history of the wider Cumbrian region, encompassing it's time as a Welsh-speaking region, and later incorporation into England, I am excited by the potential inspiration that can be drawn on. "I look forward to seeing the winner take its rightful place flying next to the region's constituent historic county and town flags in future."The competition closes on 25 April. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
