From September 13–22, 2024 the show’s 55th edition features over 200 exhibitors, a multitude of professional advice and exciting chances to get afloat. The Southampton International Boat Show is the place to be. Although this yacht and sailing event attracts watersports enthusiasts and serious boat owners, it is a great day out for families. Hosted in one of Europe’s largest purpose-built marinas, it has a diverse range of marine brands on display and showcases everything from super-yachts to stand-up paddleboards.
Tickets start from £19.00 for those aged between 18-21 and also applies to Students, Mod staff, NHS workers, over 60s and disabled and local residents.
There will no doubt be many yacht and sailing club members who will be enjoying this prestigious event which attracts worldwide crowds.
Although we are not one of the lucky few who will be exhibiting at the show, you can browse here on our website for all your yacht and sailing club flags.
Everybody today wants to get the best for their money. However, many customers still require high standards and quality. Here at Alpha Flags, we are willing to go that extra mile to offer unbeatable value. We now produce all our Red Ensign flag with an extra wide fly. This is the end of the flag which takes the brunt of wear and tear. Our Red Ensign – reinforced, comes complete with rope and toggle ready for flying.
If you want to get more out of your ensign flag, please ask us for more information on how to extend the life of your flag.
Woven / Spun Polyester: Typically 155gsm. Often referred to as MOD grade, this is the most durable material for making flags. Its strength-to-weight ratio is not surpassed by any other fabric. It is very important to ensure that the flag can fly free without striking or coming into constant contact with any obstructions such as a wall, a tree or foliage or the surface of a pole that is rough. It is also important to consider whether the flag will constantly be exposed to harsh or extreme weather conditions such as high winds, heavy rain or heavily polluted urban environments. Flying an excessively large flag in bad weather will dramatically reduce life expectancy. How long a flag will last is an impossible question to answer as it depends upon many factors. It is not recommended to fly your flag continuously as this will reduce the life expectancy. Typically a flag flown continuously 24/7 may only last approximately 3 months. Left out indefinitely, a flag will eventually succumb to the elements Hand-washed or gently machine-washed at 30 degrees using a mild detergent. If unsure, consult your flagmaker. Once a flag has become too dirty, it will be difficult to clean. Never fly in inclement weather and strong winds. Flags should always be thoroughly dry before folding and storage. Flags should be taken down at night and in inclement weather. Your flag will endure much longer if it is cared for properly. To get more life out of your flag you can always re-hem the outer fly edge when it eventually becomes worn, simply cut away the frayed edge and hem with a suitable sewing machine or return it to us. We can repair flags for a small cost which have not become too frayed or damaged.
Recently, we have come across a new word for raw material used in flag production. Although it is a common word for describing a neutral colour, it is also an adjective applied to cloth taken straight from the loom in an un-dyed, unbleached state. Griege, pronounced ‘grey,’ is a variable between beige and grey and can be dyed to any colour by the dyers, using sophisticated machinery, specialist techniques and a wealth of expertise. Today’s modern machinery and computer-assisted design led us to ponder how flags and banner fabrics were dyed in days gone by. Most notably, in the medieval period when flags were so important and possibly only ever commissioned by the very wealthy.
So how was fabric dyed then? It appears that the fabric was dyed near running water using natural dyes derived from various roots, lichens, minerals and more. The fabric was soaked in the solution and agitated many times before being ‘fixed’ with alum. The fabric was almost certainly dried outside in the heat of the day as were laundry and animal hides. Kilns were not invented until a later date. Just as flags are today, medieval flags were very colourful but only the wealthy could purchase such luxuries. Many flags and personal arms were resplendent with rich blues, crimson reds, greens, yellows and the most expensive of all, black. It seems that wool and cotton were the main fabrics at the lower end of the scale. However, the dyeing process for the more luxurious side such as silks, satins and velvet used more specialist techniques. This was due to the different up-takes of fabric fibres. For instance, the shade would be paler, especially with silk, than the same process used to dye coarse cloth.
The most difficult colour fabric dye, just as it is today, was black. Even for the wealthy, only the seriously rich could afford this luxury. When perusing the colour plates of the heraldic standards from the medieval period, it was notable that black was barely represented. Flag production has certainly moved on.
Union Jack Flag victory as a taxi driver from Shropshire wins the right to display the national flag on his cab.
Army veteran, Mr Basil Brockhurst, was told to remove the Union Jack Flag under a 200-page Hackney Carriage policy instituted by Shropshire Council. However, after becoming angry and upset by this demand, Mr Brockhurst approached his local councillors to look into the matter. The supposition is that the Union flag along with the St George flag has ‘Far Right’ elements and could be seen as divisive. Nevertheless, MP, Helen Morgan and councillor, Ian Nellins eventually overturned the ruling. Mr Brockhurst, now has permission to fly the nations flag from his taxi.
Some have suggested that if the Union Jack Flag has been hijacked by extremists, perhaps it is time to counteract this notion by reclaiming the Union Jack for the nation.
This may be a small victory for one man but perhaps it is the start of good common sense.
This annual event is hosted by Exeter University Sailing Club. The yearly sailing event is limited to 18 teams ensuring high-quality standards for all the participants. The event takes place 18 MAR AT 09:00 – 19 MAR AT 17:00 UTC at Roadford Lake Sailing Club Roadford Lake Broadwoodwidger PL16 0RL United Kingdom.
…our largest flags Image courtesy of So-Shan-Au of All Saints Church
One minute we are making large flags then the very next day we are making our smallest size.
We are always prepared to go from one extreme to another in the blink of an eye. In the world of flagmaking, our sewing machines can be swamped with huge swathes of fabric or “making dolls clothes” as one machinist put it.
The images show 18″ x 12″ for a Harbour Master and a 5yd St George Cross made for a beautiful historic church.
For this particular St George, due to the size and flagpole location, we strengthened both the hoist and the fly for extra protection.
The coronation of King Charles will take place at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, May 6, 2023. The ceremony will be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury at the Royal Church, which is one of the oldest landmarks in London. King Charles will become the 40th reigning monarch to be crowned on May 2023 and will be crowned alongside his Queen Consort, Camilla.
The sovereign will be anointed, blessed and consecrated at the ancient site which is home to the banners of the medieval Order of the Bath. The Lady Chapel is home to an array of colourful hanging banners which adorn the walls and ceilings of the chapel.
North Macedonia was the last country to join North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Formally known as Yugoslav Republic, it officially became a NATO member on 27 March 2022. After declaring independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, the country chose the name Macedonia. However, after much dispute with Greece, which also has a region called Macedonia, the new name was agreed upon after talks with the EU.
NATO is an organization of collective defence. It is a security alliance of 30 countries from North America and Europe. Its purpose is to create a special connection between these two continents, allowing them to consult, work together on security and defence issues, and coordinate international crisis management activities.
Britain’s Ocean City will host Sail Grand Prix for the second year running. The event will take place on 30 and 31 July 2022 and is expected to attract thousands of spectators to Plymouth’s iconic waterfront.
Nine teams will go head-to-head, racing at speeds in excess of 60 mph, in hydrofoil F50 catamarans.
