Flying the (Diocesan) Flag

THE DIOCESAN FLAG has been raised at the Cathedral for the first time in over twenty-five years.

The old flagpoles alongside the Cathedral’s main entrance steps fell into disuse when their mechanism failed.  Through the generosity of one of its members the Friends of Coventry Cathedral are pleased to have provided replacement flagpoles.

The replacement flagpoles are not only useable but also vandal-proof, an important part of the modern specification.   Cathedral staff have now dusted off the boxes of flags held in store, and flags can be flown on all appropriate national, Cathedral and Diocesan occasions in the future.  

In the picture the Coventry Diocesan flag is being raised by Dan Anderson (Head Verger) in the presence of Martin R Williams (Chairman of the Friends) and Barry Greener (a Vice-President of the Friends).

The donor remembered Cathedral flags flying to welcome Royal visitors to the Cathedral as well as flags welcoming parish church congregations on great Diocesan occasions.   Through the Friends he has now restored that Cathedral welcome for the future.

In his letter of thanks to the Friends Dean John Witcombe wrote:  "In this year of City of Culture, and more especially for our Diamond Jubilee in 2022, it is marvellous to be able to fly flags once again to welcome guests from near and far. I was delighted to see the Diocesan Mercia flag flying there on Sunday morning."

These archive photographs show Bishop Cuthbert Bardsley talking to the crowds awaiting the arrival of HM the Queen on her private visit to the Cathedral in June 1970, and in the second photograph the Queen at the Royal British Legion march past in 1981.   In the background of both photographs you can see the Cathedral flags flying.