Flag flying in West Suffolk
Flying of flags 2025
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:
| Day | Date | Occasion |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 28 February | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBTQ+) History Month (Rainbow Flag) | |
| Monday | 10 March | Commonwealth Day (second Monday in March). (Commonwealth Flag) |
| Tuesday | 1 April | Marking the anniversary of the creation of West Suffolk Council (West Suffolk District Flag) |
| Wednesday | 9 April | His Majesty The King’s wedding anniversary |
| Wednesday | 23 April | St George’s Day (Cross of St George) |
| Tuesday | 6 May | Coronation Day |
| Thursday | 8 May | 80th Anniversary of VE Day (VE DAY - 80 Flag) |
| Saturday | 17 May | International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) (Rainbow Flag) |
| 1 to 30 June | Pride Month (Rainbow Flag) | |
| Saturday | 7 June | Suffolk Pride (Rainbow Flag) |
| Saturday | 15 June | Official birthday of His Majesty The King |
| Saturday | 21 June | Suffolk Day (if we have a Suffolk Flag) |
| Saturday | 21 June | Birthday of the His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales (1982) |
| Monday | 23 June | Bury St Edmunds Armed Forces Day flag raising on Abbey Gate, Angel Hill. The flag should be flying from Monday 23 to after Saturday 28 June. |
| Saturday | 28 June | Armed Forces Day (last Saturday in June, flag up from Monday 24 June for the week, see above) |
| Wednesday | 3 September | Merchant Navy Day (Red Ensign flag – fixed date each year) |
| Monday | 8 September | His Majesty The King’s Accession |
| Tuesday | 9 September | 999 Emergency Services Flag (fixed date each year) |
| Monday | 15 September | Battle of Britain Day |
| Sunday | 21 September | Battle of Britain Day Commemoration |
| 1 to 31 October | Black History Month (Black History Month Flag) | |
| Sunday | 9 November | Remembrance Service, Rose Garden, Abbey Gardens |
| Sunday | 9 November | Remembrance Day (second Sunday in November, 11am services and parades, in Bury St Edmunds until 12 November, after Armistice Day) |
| Tuesday | 11 November | Armistice Day |
| Friday | 14 November | Birthday of His Majesty The King (1948) |
| Thursday | 20 November | St Edmunds Day (St Edmunds Flag) |
| Thursday | 20 November | 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.