2011/80

This yellow flag belonged to the National Farmers Union (NFU). Across the front in green lettering is the following: 'NFU // Representing Farmers And Growers'. The flag was donated to MERL in 2011 by the NFU as the logo on the flag dates from the 1980s and so was out of date for 2010 and could not be used. In 2008 MERL collaborated with the NFU to produce an exhibition on the Union to celebrate its Centenary year.

1 flag: textile; good condition

Email, Isobel Bretherton to MERL, 14 December 2010 - 'Dear Alison, // I was going to contact Roy Bridgen but I understand that he has retired from MERL. // We have some rather nice large flags with an NFU logo on them - they would look lovely in your collection, if you would like them, and I think they should go in the archive. Unfortunately I cannot use them any longer as they carry a 1980s logo. // Shall I post them? They are rectangular probably about 4ft 6ins long x 3ft 3ins or so. Isobel', MERL exhibition label (http://www.reading.ac.uk/merl/whatson/exhibitions/merl-nfuexhibition.aspx) – 'NFU 1908 to 2008: celebrating 100 years of the National Farmers' Union // From its founding in 1908, the National Farmers Union has championed the cause of British farmers. No matter what the crisis for the farming community - floods, blizzards, droughts, disease - the NFU has always been there in its hour of need. // One hundred years on, this exhibition reflects on the important role played by the NFU during a century of dramatic change in the British countryside. // Perhaps the most famous member of the NFU was Prime Minister Winston Churchill. On loan to MERL for this temporary exhibition is the original NFU membership form he submitted to Kent NFU – he farmed at Chartwell. The form shows that he grew cereals and fruit, keeping 128 cattle, including 50 Guernsey dairy cows, along with a small pig herd and 300 poultry. Visitors were also able hear extracts from the speech that Churchill made to the annual NFU dinner in 1953.'