COMMUNITIES across Exmoor are flying the flag that tells the story of the unique area.

As reported in last week's Free Press, Exmoor's first dedicated flag was unveiled at a special ceremony at the West Somerset Railway station in Minehead.

And after a celebration involving the winner of the chosen design - Londoner Jenny Stevens - and her four fellow finalists, the flag was taken on a journey around the area it now represents.

A 1940s Leyland Tiger bus provided by Quantock Heritage and sponsored by local businesses transported the flag and its entourage to towns and villages across the moor on a tour that was not without its surprises.

Communities were presented with the new and distinctive symbol, allowing them to stage their own celebrations.

The idea of giving Exmoor an official emblem came from Brushford friends Edward and Julie Christian and Tony and Ceri Keene, who staged a competition that attracted a total of 261 entries.

Enjoying the tour of the area with the project team were local celebrity Johnny Kingdom and his wife Julie, Jenny Stevens and her daughter Freya and finalist Martin Shoots from Minehead with his wife Elaine and daughter Holly.

The first stop was Porlock where, after the presentation of the flag to community leaders, volunteers took on the challenge of hiking in dense fog to fly it from Dunkery Beacon - the highest point on Exmoor.

After a hair-raising descent of Countisbury Hill with its one in four gradient, the vintage bus arrived at Lynton Town Hall where it was greeted by the town's mayor Tony Meakin and community and church leaders.

Unfortunately, the lanes to Parracombe proved too narrow for the Leyland Tiger and, with progress being hampered by thick fog, the decision was taken to split the tour.

An outreach team including the winning designer and her daughter headed to Exford to present the flag to parish council chairman Mike Ellicott, who hoisted it on the village green pole to an enthusiastic reception from local youngsters and horse riders.

Meanwhile, as the bus entered Dulverton along narrow Lady Street, it lost one of its flags.

But nothing dampened the spirits of the huge crowd that had been waiting for more than an hour on the steps of the town hall.

Following the official presentation, the flag was passed to a church warden who ran it up the tower of All Saints Church to fly over the town, which is home to the headquarters of the Exmoor National Park Authority.

By this time the Exmoor flag grand tour was running unsociably late.

The various delays along the way meant Roger Webber, chairman of Cutcombe Parish Council had been awaiting the flag's arrival in the Rest and Be Thankful pub in Wheddon Cross for some time.

But he managed a "jolly" welcome for the tour party as he accepted the flag on behalf of Exmoor's highest village.

The final stop was Dunster, where local people braved the cold and damp evening to finally receive the flag outside the village's historic Yarn Market.

The Exmoor flag - large or a smaller hand-waving version - is available to buy online at http://www.exmoorflag.co.uk/shop">www.exmoorflag.co.uk/shop, with mugs and bumper stickers also for sale.

The products are also being stocked in the West Somerset railway shop at Minehead station and the Tantivy in Dulverton, with other stockists expected to be announced in the near future.

For wholesale enquiries, ring Edward or Julie Christian on 01398 323948.

For each purchase a donation will be made to the Devon Air Ambulance and Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

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