Bearing the Banner

For thousands of years man has felt the need to use a sign or a symbol as a way of distinguishing himself, his tribe or his country.  Such symbols have taken many different forms, one of which is the flag.  The banner is a type of flag representing a distinguished person or a body of persons.  It is usually suspended from a horizontal bar, and supported by two poles, which are carried by two people.  Throughout history the banner has traditionally been used for ceremonial purposes and is often seen in processions.

In the early years of the Garden City processions were a common feature of Letchworth life.  One of the largest was May Day, which was held annually from 1906.  Many organisations took part, from the Guild of Help to the Independent Labour party, proudly parading their banners to identify who they were.

These banners varied from very simple layouts to colourful and elaborate works of art.  Many local artists designed some of these banners.  Eleni Zompolides designed the Parish Council, Pixmore Institute and Howard Hall Public Lending Library banners, Edmund Hunter the Garden City Banner, Louis Weirter the Provident Dispensary banner, Edward Docker the Residents Union banner while the architect and calligrapher William Harrison Cowlishaw designed the Alpha Union banner.

Following extensive conservation work we are now delighted to display some of the surviving banners.  Visitors can enjoy looking at these emblems of the past, some of which have not been seen since they were last proudly paraded around the Garden City.