Flags Archives - The Stray Ferret

GALLERY: VE Day is marked across the Harrogate districtThe people who fly flags – who are they and why do they do it?Business Q&A: Andy Ormrod, Flying Colours

This is the latest in a regular series of Business Q&A features published weekly.

This week, we spoke to Andy Ormrod, founder and managing director of Flying Colours in Knaresborough.

Tell us in fewer than 30 words what your firm does.

We are a flag manufacturer. We purchase flag fabric, we cut it, we sew it, we machine it and we turn it into glorious-looking flags.

I founded the company in 1994 when I was unemployed, and since 2008 we’ve held the Royal Warrant as flag manufacturer to the Queen. That’s now under review, but we should find out if we have the King’s Royal Warrant by this time next year.

What does it require to be successful in business?

You’ve got to be persistent. You’ve got to know your product, know how to sell your product, know how to get it to your customers on time – and you need the right people doing the right jobs.

You need a little bit of luck as well, but so long as you’re making a good product, you should be OK.

What drives you to do what you do every day?

Anyone who has their own business has a passion to get up every day and try and do what they do better, and I’m the same. It’s so exciting – you never know what’s around the corner.

What has been the toughest issue your company has had to deal with over the last 12 months?

I don’t think there’s been anything difficult in the last 12 months. Before that, Covid was difficult, but everyone struggled with that. Our lockdown lasted about two days, but then we had lots of orders come in, not least from the NHS. So I read and re-read the rules, and then brought a couple of people in, working in opposite corners of the room. Then the two-metre rule came in and we had four people. With more orders, it snowballed and became seven people and eventually we all came back to work, and it ended up working very well.

Which other local firms do you most admire and why?

We deal with a lot of great firms locally. Taylors of Harrogate is one I admire. They’re massive compared with us, but they’re a great business, and like us, they have the Royal Warrant.

Who are the most inspiring local leaders?

Years ago, I remember hearing about HACS, the Ripley-based engineering firm. Now you see their plant and orange logo everywhere. Their founder, Mark Smith, has done brilliantly well.

What could be done locally to boost business?

That’s a tricky one. Something we could all do – and that my wife Jules and I try to do – is support local businesses. The high street is up against a lot of online competition, and I take my hat off to those who manage to stay in business. We need to protect these businesses, and that means using them.

Best and worst things about running a business from Knaresborough?

The best thing is the town itself. A lot of people take it for granted, but it’s beautiful, and the river and castle attract a lot of people here. It’s a really nice place for folk to work.

There’s not a lot wrong with Knaresborough, so I suppose the worst thing is probably the potholes – they’re always a challenge.

What are your business plans for the future?

I’ve run this business for 30 years now and Jules and I are in our 60s, so we plan to retire on January 1, 2025.

Our sons, Chris, Tom and Jamie, already effectively run the business, and they’re very good at it so they’ll carry on. I’ve had some good offers for the company, but never really entertained them. We’ll stay local and carry on employing local people.

What do you like to do on your time off?

My time off is very busy! We live in Wath, and I’m captain of Wath and Melmerby Cricket Club, which is something I really enjoy. We also get involved with a lot of village stuff– I love living up there.

Best place to eat and drink locally?

The Farm Dairy in Knaresborough is the best place for sandwiches and also does fantastic cheeses.

For eating out, definitely our local pub in Wath, The George – fab food. Otherwise it’s into Ripon to Mario’s by the cathedral or Storehouse on North Street.

If you know someone in business in the Harrogate district and you’d like to suggest them for this feature, drop us a line at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Flags raised back up to full mast across the district as Charles III proclaimed new sovereign

Flags across the Harrogate district have been raised back up to full mast, on the occasion of the proclamation of His Majesty King Charles III.

They will return to half mast tomorrow in observance of the period of mourning for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Residents are continuing to pay tribute to the Queen following her death on Thursday afternoon.

Flowers have been have been laid by mourners by the War Memorial in Harrogate, with some featuring heartfelt messages.

One family wrote:

“Flowers for HRH Queen Elizabeth in thanks for the love, protection and stability you gave our nation. Rest in peace.”

Churches remain open today for tributes, reflection and mourning.

Special services in commemoration of the Queen are also taking place across the district, including at St Peter’s Church in Harrogate town centre and Ripon Cathedral.

The Rev Judith Clark, assistant curate on placement at St Peter’s, said:

“The church will remain open between 9.30am and 6.30pm during the official mourning period. People can come and write in the condolence book and light a candle and have a period of quiet prayer if they wish.”

Yesterday around 100 people signed the book of condolence at the church, which will hold a special prayer service today at 12pm.

Ripon Cathedral will hold a special Choral Evensong at 5.30pm with prayers.

Later today church bells will ring out once more to formally proclaim Charles as the new sovereign. This time it will be a celebratory peal and the bells will be unmuffled.

Nazi symbol outside Harrogate home leads to police visit

A Harrogate man’s efforts to commemorate the sinking of a ship in the Second World War led to a social media outcry and a visit from police.

He put up a German naval flag for “less than six hours” on Friday afternoon to remember those who lost their lives in the sinking of the Bismarck on May 27, 1941.

However, the flag includes a swastika symbol, which was spotted by a passer-by who posted a photograph on Twitter that evening.

The home owner – who we are not naming because police said they are concerned about putting him at risk – said he was taken aback by the reaction.

“It’s what’s called a kriegsmarine flag. It’s not the first time it has flown – I’ve flown it twice a year, to mark the sinking of the Bismarck and the Battle of the River Plate [the first naval battle of the Second World War].

“I spoke to my neighbours and they know it’s not a racist or anti-Jewish or pro-Nazi thing. It’s just a commemoration.”

‘Naval tradition’

The man said he regularly displays flags to mark significant days in the calendar and has been doing so for almost three years.

He often puts a sign in his window explaining the significance of that day’s flag, which he said also did on Friday. It outlined the loss of the battleship along with 2,200 sailors, as well as more than 100 captured by the British Navy.

The homeowner said:

“They died for their country as much as our naval crew did for ours. It’s a naval tradition to respect your foe as well as your own men.

“My father was in the Navy and my uncle was in the air force. I’m more of a pacifist – I wouldn’t ever do anything to offend anyone.”

He said the photograph was not close enough to show the information about the Bismarck so, when it was shared on social media, it lacked the context of his explanation.

After being posted on Twitter, the photograph was shared in local Facebook groups, attracting dozens of responses. One called the owner “vermin” while others described flying the flag as “inexcusable”, “disgusting” and “sickening”.

A handful of responses on social media identified the flag and made reference to the anniversary of the sinking of the Bismarck, as well as pointing out it was adjacent to a British naval flag and one displaying poppies.

The homeowner added:

“I did try and get a modern kriegsmarine flag but the only one that was available was a Second World War one.”

‘Repercussions’

He took down the flag on Friday evening but, on Sunday, had a visit from North Yorkshire Police officers who had been contacted by members of the public who had seen the photo.

“They were very nice – they were more concerned about whether there would be repercussions for me.

“I told them I will try and find a modern Kriegsmarine flag for next time, or I’ll put a piece of white fabric over the middle.”

We have not identified the man or given the location of his house because police said they are concerned about potential risk to the resident.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said:

“Police visited an address in Harrogate after concerns were reported by a member of the public about a flag in a garden. On arrival, the flag in question wasn’t on display.

“An officer talked to the resident, who confirmed he flies many different flags throughout the year and it was a naval flag flown alongside other flags to commemorate a battle.

“No further action was necessary as no crime had been committed.”

Harrogate district raises flags for jubilee celebrations

With less than three weeks to go until the Queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations begin, preparations are already under way across the Harrogate district.

Bunting has gone up in Harrogate town centre, while knitters in Ripon have put together a fitting royal display.

Knaresborough Business Collective has joined in the fun by putting up commemorative flags outside shops across the town, with even more being added this week.

Knaresborough

The town has plenty of plans for celebrations throughout the jubilee weekend, as do many communities across the district.

Ripon and Harrogate have also dressed up the streets in preparation for the four-day party.

The Stray Ferret has put together a comprehensive guide to what’s happening across the four days. You can find the full details here.

Knaresborough

Bunting on High Skellgate in Ripon.

Bunting going up in Harrogate this week.

If your street, village or town is putting up decorations to mark the occasion, let us know by emailing details and photographs to contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.

Knaresborough to host Jubilee flag-making workshop for kids

As part of Knaresborough’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, there will be a free Union Jack flag-making workshop for kids who can take their flag on a procession through the town.

It’s been organised by the people who usually run the lantern-making workshops at Christmas. It will take place on Saturday June 4 at Gracious Street Methodist Church from 10am to 11am.

The event is free and there will be refreshments at the workshop although there will be a donations box. All materials will be provided and children must be accompanied by an adult.

The procession will led by the Town Crier from the Market Place at 11.30am to the grounds of Knaresborough House for the Jubilee Garden Party.

Knaresborough’s Jubilee plans

Starting on Thursday June 2, Knaresborough will light a beacon on the top of the castle, along with 1,500 locations across the UK.

On Saturday June 4 at Knaresborough House, there will be an artisan market in the morning followed in the afternoon by a community garden party and performances event. There will also be a tea dance at St Mary’s Church Hall.

On Sunday June 5 organisers hope to hold a thanksgiving service. Sunday is also set aside for street parties.

Throughout the weekend the new Knaresborough Museum will open in the former Castle Girls’ School with a special community history event to mark the jubilee.

For information about what’s on across the district over the big weekend. Click the box below.

Harrogate district draped in England colours ahead of Euro 2020 final

Football fans across the Harrogate district have been decorating their homes in England’s colours ahead of Sunday’s Euro 2020 final.

England will step out at Wembley for their first major tournament final in 55 years this weekend and people have draped their houses in St George’s flags as part of the excitement.

Stray Ferret readers have been sharing their pictures of their shows of support for Gareth Southgate’s men.

Houses are covered in red and white, “it’s coming home” slogans and one household even singled out Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips, dubbed the “Yorkshire Pirlo” by the club’s supporters.

England will take on Italy in the Euro 2020 final in front of a crowd of more than 60,000 at Wembley. The game will be broadcast on both BBC and ITV.

Have you decorated your house ahead of England’s big game? Share your pictures with us on contact@thestrayferret.co.uk and we will feature them.