Flags to flutter over Cliff Villages as a symbol of hope following coronavirus lockdown

A hundred feet of inspirational flags that were created during lockdown are to fly over a Lincolnshire village as a symbol of hope.

Eight impressive banners have been designed to represent community resilience, with each measuring the size of a family hatchback.

More than 700 volunteers including local artists, schools and care homes spent months of last year’s lockdowns crafting the inspirational designs which were sown into the flags.

Organisers of the Cliff Carnival, who led the work, said the designs showcase 32 metres of images themed on the power of collective effort.

Katie Gordon, who ran the scheme, said: “Every image is a personal response to the question ‘what or who helped you get through lockdown?’

“This began when it became obvious we wouldn’t be able to organise the usual festivities in 2020.

“We decided to begin a creative project that could be carried out at home, evolve into workshops either online or in person depending on the restrictions.

“Finally, on Saturday’s unveiling event, we will welcome everyone to come back together again like they would have done for last year’s carnival.”

Following Flag Fest, which kicks off at noon on Saturday at The Venue, Navenby, each flag will be presented to parish councils across the Cliff Villages for use at community events.

The festival, which is Cliff Carnival’s first post-lockdown bash, features artisan food and drink and family fun including circus performers, live entertainment, bushcraft activities, fire-dancing and aerial shows and runs until 5pm. Entry is free.

Local designers were lent a helping hand by professionals Nicki Jarvis, artist in residence at Navenby’s Mrs Smith’s Cottage and Lucy Lumb from Sleaford’s The Hub.

The project received £2,000 funding from North Kesteven District Council’s Covid Recovery Fund.

When covid prevented Cliff Carnival from taking place in 2020, the team decided to take a different approach.

They wanted to celebrate community resilience and make a permanent marker of this time.

Local publicity and lots of direct contact with schools, care homes and groups such as the Scouts and WI led to around 700 individual responses including drawings, poems and key words.