Penzance erupts in a riot of colour as summer flags and banners return for 2023

Once again, Penzance streets erupt in a riot of colour as the flags and banners arrive in town to herald the beginning of summer for 2023

The 2023 designs for the town flags, by artist Liz Tyrrell, celebrate the wildlife of Penzance parks – look out for frogs, squirrels, koi carp and blue tits decorating the streets this summer!

Liz started creating the current style of flags back in 1999 and has made hundreds for the town since: first as an assistant and co-worker and since 2017 running the town flag project.

Penzance Council commission and fund the flags every year that fly from buildings in Market Jew Street, Chapel Street, Causeway Head, the Greenmarket, and Alverton Street. The display of flags incorporates new designs and older flags from the past four years to ensure that these beautiful decorations are as sustainable as possible. Fabric from old flags is also reused in the new designs wherever possible.

“Many people like to trace the development of the frogs from spawn to full grown, feed or watch the squirrels, look for flashes of fish in the ponds or bathe their ears in birdsong in the park” said Liz.

“The flags are a tribute to the beautiful places we have to relax in and wander round, and all the other humans and other creatures we share it with”

“I would like to thank the rest of the making team: Karen Foss, Claire Sweetman, Selina Al-Mukhtar, also Golowan for lending a workspace and Penzance Council for funding the flags.”

Penzance Council also funds the promenade banners which have been designed and produced by local artist Lucy Birbeck.

This year Lucy has created three new designs which includes an Egyptian fish goddess!

“The Egyptian fish goddess is my favourite design as I love Egyptian art and the fish boats are to include the children. The mount design was also very popular with my family and friends who I showed my ideas to!” said Lucy.

“The weather so far has been perfect and I’m always very proud when I cycle underneath them and see a lot of people taking pictures.”

Cllr Stephen Reynolds, Mayor of Penzance, said “Our town certainly knows how to celebrate summer, and I’m delighted to see the flags back on our streets again.

“The theme of this year’s Golowan festival is celebrating our town and our planet, so how fitting it is that our flags and banners will showcase the wildlife of our own parks and gardens and celebrate our connection to the sea and Mounts Bay.

“A massive thank you to Liz, Lucy and their colleagues, who typify the bold creative spirit our town is renowned for.”

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