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What do you think of the flag? Does the Black Country even need a flag?

David Cox
Born Wednesfield. Very proud of being Black Country born. Have been looking for a flag for years and this is the first I have come across. Good for you, lets get on with it.

Luke Huntley
Where can i get the tartan as i am interested in getting some necerchiefes etc... for my band to represent our locality as we are based in dudley ? i think its a great design and the bassist of my band is looking into having the flag painted onto his bass guitar !! !

Bob Taylor
Yes there should be a Black Country Flag and Emblems, but this flag is to technical, to flashy and not quite earthy enough

Tony Moran
i think its a great idea,when can i have a flag for my truck.ther should be car stickers as well.

Mozzy
AS an outsider but frequenter to the Black Country: I suggest the flag encompassed a picture of two Yams (to symbolise yam-yams) and a Picture of a House (to symbolise the Picture House discothèque in Stourbridge). Think that should about cover it…Also, where did the idea for a black colour scheme come from?

Philip Tibbetts
To answer a couple of issues I would say that the flag is bold, not over-complicated and importantly meaningful rather than abstract or over simplified. Not having black as the dominate colour would seem counter-intuitive. Along the same lines as the poster below this isn't a fashion competition its a representation of the area - we shouldnt see it with rose tinted glasses or gloss over anything.Wolverhampton is in the Black Country, the coal seem can be found under the centre plus the Black Country Museum, Black Country Society and this site all treat it as though it is. I know everyone has their own opinion on this but there is a strong case to be made for it and I'm inclined to be open rather than exclusive.Plaid can be found all over the place (Burberry was a good example), and nor is it overtly gaelic it's only romantically viewed as so. We have just as much right.People have mentioned tweaking the design or organising a competition and I heartily agree with doing so. This can only help get the recognition that Im hoping the area will get from having (any) flag.

Lee Sawbridge
I like the flag. Aesthetically it looks unique and is striking. The fact that it links the history of the place in with the design is fantastic. Having been brought up in the BC but now exiled in the North West I can see that the BC does have a very unique identity and deserves a flag such as this.

Gary
Sorry but the design is too busy, Also I think that we should pick something that the black country represents from our history and include it in the shape or the pictures. This design is a great one but not for the black country. Sorry !!!!

Simon B
Maybe Phillip could take the original design and simplify it slightly?He obviously has a lot of talent when it comes to designing.

Grumphart
Quite inspirational! Certainly has some people thinking, and some people just whining. I like the Elihu Burrit connotations in the design. Possibly the upper and lower black quadrants could be a 'canvas' for those concerns or businesses with Black Country roots to demonstrate their support of the area as well as advertise themselves. This could usefully serve to demonstrate to God's lesser children not only the pride of the region's past but also our faith in its future. The black of the flag might be a little heavy or sinister, but our heritage was forged through adversity and not through rose tinted platitude. Well Done My Son - Mek 'em 'av it!!

Craig Lees
Good Idea but that flag doesn't hit the spot. A good flag is one that can be drawn easily by school Kids. A good flag should be simple yet appropriately symbolic. I suggest a competition to see who can come up with the one that the Black country folk can choose as they'll feel what really reflects their passion for the area. Nice try but no cigar on this one. Come up with a good one and i'll have one on my flag pole in a jiffy! Wolverhampton ay in the Blackcountry!

Steve Messer
Way too complicated. I'm all for a Black Country flag but it needs to be simplified.

Bayden Rank
As a Brummie (and by definition NOT a Black Countryman) I don't give a flying fluke. I will say however that the very thought of a Midlander wearing the Plaid (other than Burberry of course) is a total anathema to me - leave it to the Scots Girlies and other Celts. The flag looks over fussy for the industrial Midlands - less is more. Brum has a coat of arms any road up so there :p

Kate S
Reading the commments, I think there is very much a split on how people feel about this. Myself I cannot say how I feel about it; we seem to have lost the strength of our identity and love for the area, which is evident in us not knowing how to respond when someone stands up and designs something for us.I think nowhere in the flag is there anything to do with racism and neither is it drab or dour... it is very striking and it has obviously been thought out in full, as has the coat of arms.Like all things, this is a prototype and with some tweaking and also Phillip's expertise in flag design and coats of armoury... we may just have ourselves a regional flag... a recognition in the rest of the county for what we bring. It's great what you have done, Phillip. I look forward to seeing what happens.

Simon B
It should be plain black with a coat of arms for each of the councils in each corner i reckon. Although most of Wolvo ay in the bc.

lisa
i dont think the flag looks nice you need something more upbeat and besides when do we ever have sunshine in the black country?

Phil Watkin
The orange in the flag is supposed to represent Wolverhampton. It is still a bone of contention as to whether Wolverhampton is in the BC. The true colours should be blue and white and red. This is because there is never a question as to the fact that West Bromwich and Walsall are in deed true BC towns

Beryl Wolverson
About time so that everyone also knows our pride

Leigh R Cotterill
One word - Bostin !

Jessica Diversion
'Black' country!? BLACK country! What you talking about tibbetts! This is the worst racism since The fresh prince of bel air

Chris
The saltire looks to me as if it's made of razor wire - what does that say? The councils of the Black Country don't make much effort to collaborate. Perhaps a visual 'brand' should be part of an effort to encourage them to pool resources in campaigning for a higher profile and more investment. (The Black Country, incidentally, did have Interesting history before the Industrial Revolution - please don't ignore it.)

Lucy Abandon
I think is a great idea! The design is great and it appears Philip has quite a passion for the subject. I cant think of anybody who could do a better job.

barney bostin
Bostin !

Kirsty
Simple, bold, striking design. A massive amount of thought, research and consideration has gone into this and the result could not better reflect the area. A flag and coat of arms would go a long way to successfully promoting the area and this is enough to keep pushing this cause forward. A lot of money, touring and research went into discovering that the St Andrew's saltire was the symbol best suited to promoting Scotland abroad, and most recognisable. Again, this is evidence enough that flags and heraldry are massively effective in promoting an area and good reason to press on. All that's needed now is a vote to push it through and therefore get the Black Country on the map!!Well done :)

Jeff Cannon
Great idea, alot of thought has clearly went in to its design. People say it should be kept simple, why? Not all flags are simple in design (do some research). IMO if we're gonna have a flag then lets have one that means something and is full of history.Its unique and well thought out. Good work Mr Tibbetts.

Philip Tibbetts
For anyone wondering how this reflects the Black Country I'd recommend reading the meanings page linked at the top.I did feel Black had to be the main colour of the flag, that is the name of the area after all.As for complexity I feel it is pitched just right to capture enough detail in the meaning and still do a good job of being bold and striking. You may want to research Birmingham's flag (yes they have one so why shouldn't we) regarding complex design!

Steve - Walsall
Yes we need our identity recognised , however the flag needs to show our heritage as the Mother of the Industrial Revolution

Tina
How on earth does that flag represent the black country in any way other than being half back??

Claire
Brilliant idea! I think there is too much black on the flag though - reduce it to one triangle like the red!

olly
Simple would be better,why not a do a competition & let it fly above the mail box

Kim
I think it's a great idea. Good on yer!

tony hill
Its a good idea,but the flag is a bit over complicated.

Steve
Its nearly as poor as the Olympics one. Keep it simple and change the black. Move on from the dirty black country and inspire the future.

JOHN DAVIES
GREAT IDEA WE SHOULD BE PROUD OF OUR AREA