Flag of Greater Manchester facts for kids
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| Proportion | 3:5 |
|---|---|
| Adopted | 1974 |
| Relinquished | 1986 |
| Design | Gules, ten Towers three two three two, all within a Bordure embattled Or |
The flag of the Greater Manchester County Council was a special symbol for the Greater Manchester County Council. This council was in charge of the Greater Manchester area in England from 1974 to 1986. Even though it was used, this flag isn't officially registered with the Flag Institute. They only register flags for older, historic counties.
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The Story Behind the Flag
This flag's design comes from the official coat of arms of Greater Manchester. It uses parts of the shield and crest from that coat of arms. Many groups that represent the Greater Manchester area use this design.
For example, the old Greater Manchester County Council used it. The Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service also uses it. Even the Greater Manchester Army Cadet Force has it. All these groups use the same idea: ten golden towers on a red background. These towers stand for the ten different areas, or boroughs, within Greater Manchester.
What the Flag Looks Like
The flag has ten golden castles on a bright red background. These castles are placed in a special pattern: three at the top, then two, then three again, and finally two at the bottom.
Around the edge of the flag, there's a golden border. This border looks like the top of a castle wall, with its up-and-down shapes. The official description of the flag's design is "Gules, ten Towers three two three two, all within a Bordure embattled Or."
What the Symbols Mean
The ten golden castles on the flag have two meanings. First, they show that Greater Manchester is a busy, built-up area with many buildings. Second, they represent the ten main areas that make up Greater Manchester. These areas are:
The red color behind the castles stands for the people who live and work there. It also reminds us of the many red-brick buildings in the area. These red bricks are a big part of Greater Manchester's past, especially its time as an industrial center.
The golden border, shaped like a castle wall, shows that the different parts of the region are united. It also means that the area is strong, watchful, and always looking to the future.
Where You Can See the Flag
You can still see this flag flying today. It flies in front of the National Rail offices at Manchester Piccadilly railway station.
