Winning Platinum Jubilee flag now flying from mast

THE winner of a competition to design a Platinum Jubilee Flag for Guernsey saw the fruits of his labour hoisted to the top of the Weighbridge mast yesterday.

The Platinum Jubilee Flag for Guernsey, designed by competition winner Ben Le Marchant, was hoisted on the Weighbridge roundabout, with Sea Cadets commanding officer Lt Tony Browning lending his expertise. (Pictures by Luke Le Prevost, 30847504)

Specsavers graphic designer Ben Le Marchant, 26, said his work incorporated aspects of a Coronation postage stamp, red and yellow for the Guernsey flag, purple for the Platinum Jubilee, and waves on the sea around the island.

‘I’m quite proud of it and it’s nice to see it going up all over the island,’ he said. ‘I thought it would be nice to use my design skills to do something for the island.’

He said he had submitted three designs.

The Education, Sport & Culture run competition, which was open to all, attracted 400 entries of which 200 came from Amherst Primary School.

As well as the raising of the Platinum Jubilee Flag for Guernsey, other entrants were invited to attend. Seen holding their entries are, back row, left to right, Lucy Brimage (art teacher from Le Rondin representing entrant Rudy Le Prevost who couldn’t be present), winner Ben Le Marchant, Education, Sport & Culture vice-president Deputy Bob Murray (holding artwork from Chloe Sarre who couldn’t be present) and Bailiff Richard McMahon. Front row: Dora McGahy, 18, Chloe Norman, 10, Eden De Castro, 6, from Alderney, and Emily Garland, 10. (30847510)

Teachers and youth groups said they had used it as a tool to teach about the Platinum Jubilee.

Committee vice-president Bob Murray was one of the judges along with Ross Fossey and Jonathan Snow.

He said the standard of entry, which had been whittled down to a shortlist of 35, had been incredibly high.

‘It just captured the imagination and some were by very young children, though of course we didn’t know it at the time,’ he said.

The standard was so high that it was decided to give prizes to six runners-up though not all could be present yesterday.

They were Chloe Sarre, Dora-Jo McCarthy, Emily Garland, 10, Rudy Le Prevost, 8, Chloe Norman, 10, and Eden de Castro, 6, who travelled from Alderney especially for the occasion.

Mr Le Marchant received a year-long museum pass, Jubilee souvenirs, and a large scale replica of his flag which is incorporated in the 32 x 34m long lengths of bunting which will adorn the mast all summer.

A jubilee postcard pack featuring the seven designs has been produced, one of which will be sent to The Queen.

Bailiff Richard McMahon, who attended the flag-raising, spoke about the Bailiwick’s relationship with The Crown and the uniqueness of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in which we were fortunate to be playing a part.