Flag flying in West Suffolk
Flying of flags 2026
The Union Flag shall fly at all days on flagpoles owned by West Suffolk Council. Where the building has more than one flagpole, and two are being flown, the Union Flag must always be flown in the superior position which is either:
- the highest flagpole
- the centre flagpole where there is an odd number of poles of the same height, or
- the left centre flagpole viewed from the front of the building, where there is an even number of poles of the same height.
In addition, the following flags may also be flown during the year from 8am to sunset on the dates shown below. Flags shall be shown secondary to the Union Flag, or on a separate flagpole:
| Date and day | Occasion |
|---|---|
| 1 to 28 February | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBTQ+) History Month (Rainbow Flag) |
| 9 March Monday | Commonwealth Day (second Monday in March). (Commonwealth Flag) |
| 1 April Wednesday | Marking the anniversary of the creation of West Suffolk Council (West Suffolk District Flag) |
| 9 April Thursday | His Majesty The King’s wedding anniversary |
| 23 April Thursday | St George’s Day (Cross of St George) |
| 6 May Wednesday | Coronation Day |
| 8 May Friday | 80th Anniversary of VE Day (VE DAY - 80 Flag) |
| 17 May Sunday | International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) (Rainbow Flag) |
| 1 to 30 June | Pride Month (Rainbow Flag) |
| 6 June Saturday | Suffolk Pride (Rainbow Flag) |
| 20 June Saturday | Official birthday of His Majesty The King |
| 21 June Sunday | Suffolk Day (if we have a Suffolk Flag) |
| 21 June Sunday | Birthday of the His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales (1982) |
| 22 June Monday | Bury St Edmunds Armed Forces Day flag raising on Abbey Gate, Angel Hill. The flag should be flying from Monday 22 to after Saturday 27 June. |
| 27 June Saturday | Armed Forces Day (last Saturday in June, flag up from Monday 22 June for the week, see above) |
| 3 September Thursday | Merchant Navy Day (Red Ensign flag – fixed date each year) |
| 8 September Tuesday | His Majesty The King’s Accession |
| 9 September Wednesday | 999 Emergency Services Flag (fixed date each year) |
| 15 September Tuesday | Battle of Britain Day |
| 20 September Sunday | Battle of Britain Day Commemoration |
| 1 to 31 October | Black History Month (Black History Month Flag) |
| 8 November Sunday | Remembrance Service, Rose Garden, Abbey Gardens |
| 8 November Sunday | Remembrance Day (second Sunday in November, 11am services and parades, in Bury St Edmunds until 12 November, after Armistice Day) |
| 11 November Wednesday | Armistice Day |
| 14 November Saturday | Birthday of His Majesty The King (1948) |
| 20 November Friday | St Edmunds Day (St Edmunds Flag) |
| 20 November Friday | Transgender Remembrance Day. (Rainbow Flag where it can be flown, St Edmunds Flag to take precedence) |
General notes on flying flags
St George's Day (23 April)
Where a building has more than one flag pole, the Cross of St George may be flown in addition to the Union flag, but not in a superior position.
Commonwealth Day (10 March)
Where a building has two or more flag poles, the Commonwealth Flag may be flown in addition to the Union Flag on Commonwealth Day but not in a superior position.
Remembrance Sunday (9 November)
Flags should be flown at full mast all day.
Special occasions and special flags
The flying of flags on other occasions and in positions other than full mast, and the buildings from which they are flown, will be notified by the Chief Executive.
Flying at half-mast
A flag to be flown at half-mast will be hoisted close up and then lowered to half-mast. At sunset the flag will be hoisted to close up and then lowered. The correct position for half-mast is for the flag to be flown two thirds up between the top and bottom of the flag pole. When the Union Flag is flying at half-mast then no other flags should be flown until the Union Flag is returned to the top of the flagpole.
Flag flying protocol for local events of commemoration
To mark the passing of
- those holding Freedom of the District
- honorary aldermen and alderwomen
- serving councillors
- former councillors of Forest Heath District Council and St Edmundsbury Borough Council, and
- former and serving councillors of West Suffolk Council.
The flag should be flown at half-mast from the date of notification to the date of the funeral.
Exemptions
The Chief Executive, following notification to the Leader and Chair, may agree to fly additional flags on nominated days, and may also agree to fly the flag at half-mast following the passing of other individuals who have demonstrated exceptional service to the West Suffolk area, West Suffolk Council, or its predecessor authorities.