page_title: Flag Institute
section_title: History and role
hierarchical_section_title: Flag Institute / History and role
caption_attribution_description: English: Official photograph of en:Graham Bartram, the Secretary-General for Congresses of FIAV taken at the Flag Institute HQ, The Naval Club, Mayfair, London.
context_page_description: The Flag Institute is an educational charity headquartered in London, England. It maintains an unofficial UK Flag Registry and offers advice and guidance about flags and their usage. The UK's only official authorities for flags are the College of Arms in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Court of the Lord Lyon in Scotland, and the Ministry of Defence for military flags and those flown at sea.
context_section_description: The Institute was formed out of the Flag Section of The Heraldry Society on St George's Day, 23 April 1971, by William Crampton, later President of the International Federation of Vexillological Associations. It is a membership-based vexillological organisation, and provides advice and assistance to individuals and organisations.
  The Institute maintains the William Crampton Library, based in Kingston upon Hull, England and named in honour of its co-founder. It publishes a quarterly 24-page full colour journal, Flagmaster, and a virtual magazine called eFlags. Since 2006 it has sponsored an annual public lecture on a flag-related topic, known as the 'Perrin Lecture'. It holds twice yearly meetings for its members in various locations around the United Kingdom. The Institute itself is governed by a Board of five elected Trustees who are advised by an appointed Council of members.
  Until early 2010 the national flag of the United Kingdom was only flown from the Houses of Parliament when Parliament was sitting, and when the Houses rose it was taken down. The Flag Institute with the All Party Parliamentary Group for Flags and Heraldry campaigned to see the flag flown permanently. In early 2010 Black Rod agreed that this should be so and since then the flag has flown all the time.
  In May 2011 the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles said:
  Let me start by congratulating the Flag Institute on its first 40 years. 40 years as a respected source of help and advice. Not only to the UK Government, but to the United Nations and other organisations around the world. 40 years of bringing together enthusiasts, educating the public, and spreading knowledge.....The UK is very lucky in having – in the Institute – a group of dedicated and informed people who do a great deal to make sure that that respect is given. In your first 40 years you have established your credentials not just in this country, but on the world stage.
  Following a postal ballot of members, the Institute became a charity at its annual general meeting in Worcester on Saturday 17 November 2012.
  
  Under the supervision of their Chief Vexillologist Graham Bartram, the Institute keeps an unofficial registry of flags for the countries, regions and counties of the UK. The Institute provide informal advice to various government agencies, and flag designs with which its officers have been involved include those for the badge and ensign of the UK Border Agency and the flag of the UK Supreme Court.
caption: Graham Bartram. Chief Vexillologist and Trustee of the Flag Institute
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