Hampshire Flag Company installs self-supporting nautical flagpole for Warsash Sailing Club
Hampshire Flag Company (HFC) have installed a 12-metre flagpole for Warsash Sailing Club, complete with a yardarm and gaff to allow multiple flags to be flown at once. Designed to emulate a ship’s mast, this style is a common choice for yacht clubs, marinas and nautical businesses.
The team at HFC were first approached to carry out a full service on the club’s existing pole because it had not been maintained for many years. After inspecting it, they soon determined that a 27-metre cherry picker would be needed to reach the 15-metre pole and navigate the awkward access route.
During this service, it was discovered that the wooden brackets holding the upper pole in place had completely rotted and were deemed unsafe. With other parts of the pole’s wooden structure also deteriorating, HFC made the decision to condemn the flagpole completely.
HFC then presented the sailing club with a series of bespoke design mock-ups to help them select a replacement. The club eventually opted for a 12-metre pole and appointed HFC to deliver the work.
Unlike many yardarm and gaff flagpoles, this pole is fully self-supporting. Most UK flag suppliers use stay wires to support this type of pole, but the omission of these was a key factor in Warsash Sailing Club’s decision to stick with HFC for the full project. The design gives the pole a much cleaner look and reduces the long-term maintenance required.
Nick Hiscock, Rear Commodore House for Warsash Sailing Club, speaks of the club’s decision to contract HFC: “After talking with the main flagpole suppliers in the UK, HFC’s offering stood out because their flagpole was glassfibre, specially manufactured for our extreme maritime environment, utilised our old concrete base, could withstand 55mph winds despite being unstayed, and was attractively priced. Plus, with the flagpole set to be a very prominent feature in the Warsash conservation area, the design mock-up proved very helpful in our negotiations with the Conservation Officer.
On installation day, HFC and their team of steeplejacks were onsite very early and the whole process was completed painlessly within six hours. The new flagpole looks great, and most members don’t even realise that the old flagpole has changed!”
HFC’s work will continue beyond the installation, with checks scheduled in the next one, three, six and 12 months. With proper care, Warsash Sailing Club should be able to keep the pole for decades. It is made from 100% reinforced glassfibre and secured with four mounting points.
HFC regularly supports clients in the sailing and marina sectors, providing durable flagpole solutions ideal for these harsh environments. Each project is also approached with their usual sustainability and creativity at the forefront.
Robert Wilkinson, Installation Manager at HFC, said of the project: “It was a delight to help Warsash Sailing Club secure a flagpole that forms such a focal point for their site. With a series of checks already set for the coming year, we’re confident that they’ve now got a reliable fixture they shouldn’t have to worry about changing for a long, long time.”