Ascension : A Flag for Ascension Island
Submitted by The Islander (Ascension Island Government) 23.09.2010 (Article Archived on 07.10.2010)

The article in the Islander on 2nd September has prompted a number of helpful comments about the two draft flag designs presented.

Many of these came from people outside of Ascension, some with connections to the island from having worked here in the past, some from flag experts and others with a keen interest in a possible new flag issue.

The following sentiments capture the mood expressed in the comments received to date.

• There should be a bird – but why a tern? It should be an Ascension Island endemic bird like the Frigate


• There should be something to symbolize communications. Ascension Island has played an important role in communications since 1899. Perhaps a lightening bolt, or a winged baton somewhere?


• Flag B – nice design but do we really want to celebrate bad luck and a near disaster? The aircraft shown – a Fairey Swordfish – was the first to land here on the newly built runway, but only did so by chance and it nearly ended in disaster because the US shot at it!


• Flag B – why not replace the airplane with a bird like the Ascension Frigate?


• I prefer the traditional style with “supporters” etc


• I prefer the style closer to St Helena’s without all the paraphernalia round it, it looks cleaner and simpler


• Flag B – motto – you can’t have the name of the place as a motto. Either have a meaningful motto or don’t have one (there is no requirement to have one at all)


• Flag A – the flag is of apiece with St Helena showing kinship yet difference and is in harmony with the other parts of the Overseas Territory of which we are all justly proud


• Flag B – is imbalanced. There should be the same animal/bird/fish on each side


• Flag A – doesn’t have enough detail


• Flag B does it for me. Flag A is too simplistic


• Flag B  - too cluttered


• Flag A is boring


• Flag A is cool


• Flag B – why is there a dead turtle? And why the woodpecker [it’s not a woodpecker!]


• I prefer Flag A which depicts the natural features and wildlife of Ascension


• There should be flame or smoke coming out of the volcano as it is only dormant, not extinct, and there was an eruption relatively recently


• I did not like Flag B because it has a helmet with a ship on top (a very old ship)


• Flag B has lots of things that aren’t even in Ascension


• I prefer Flag A because it’s cool


• I think Flag B is cool…..

All of which goes to show that you can’t please everyone! But many of the views came from off-island and it is the views of people with a stake in the island, paying taxes here and working and living here that really matter. So please write in with your views and preferences. The deadline for receipt of these is 5 pm on Friday 01 October 2010. It would helpful if you could say what your connection is with the island (e.g., have been here for x years/once lived there/academic interest).

Don’t forget that these are draft designs and still have to be approved by the College of Arms, who may require refinements to meet heraldic standards. So the artwork in either case will need to be improved upon.

Large (A4) versions of the draft flag designs can be seen on the Government notice board.