We need a new red ensign my mate told me a while ago. The fly had been sewn up and the colour is badly faded. It’s quality is dubious!

‘It looked piddly…’ she said.

I had got a small 3/4 yard size last time…

So, I looked around the web. Most had no information regarding how made and details of material.

Jimmy Green did give some detail, but like many outlets had a high price…

Amazon had plenty of choice … some cheap printed types and others fully stitched and not so cheap. I went to web sites of outlets and finally began to get proper information. Some stated that they were made to UK Ministry of Defence standard.

Finally I alighted on Alpha Flags, see: https://www.alphaflags.co.uk/

The flag was described as robustly made in the appliqué style – all sewn panels – with a larger fly turn over (hem) with several rows of stitching…

It was described as being of good colour fastness too.

It was ordered on Sunday afternoon. Monday, I answered a question and placed the order, making payment. It arrived on Tuesday’s post…

A cracking service, without a chandlery mark up.

The mate said it was lovely and bright, as I pointed to the stitching…

Although we only fly the red during the ‘winter’ … only time will tell.