I f you look at the Union Flag (or Jack) closely, you will see that it is actually made up of three different flags! One for England, one for Scotland and one for Ireland. The English flag of St. George is a red upright cross on a white background, and was used as long ago as the 13th century crusades.  The flag of St. Andrew of Scotland is a white diagonal (or to use the terminology of flag heraldy, “saltire”) across a blue background and was added to the St. George’s flag on the unification of England and Scotland in 1603.  The flag of St. Patrick of Ireland is a red diagonal cross on a white background was added on the Act of the Union in 1801 the three flags forming the Union Jack as we know it today. The flag is flown with the broader white diagonal at the top, nearest the top of the flagpole. If it is ever flown upside down, with the broad white stripe at the base, it it usually taken as a sign of distress! Usually this only happens on the high seas, but was also widely used in this manner when the English forces were under siege, as in the Boer War, or during the fighting in India in the late 18th century. Finally, the word “Jack”, when used in connection with the Union Jack is a reference to the “Jackstaff” or flagpole situated at the stern of the English naval vessels from which the flag was flown.         Ken Smith, courtesy of Moss Motoring.

Sunday March 24th will be the first tour of the season. We will be leaving a little later than usual (2 P.M.) from the McClure’s parking lot at the hwy. 70 & 100 split. We will take a leisurely tour somewhere and end up at the Evergreen Chinese Buffet restaurant behind the Home Depot at Hickory Hollow at 6 P.M.  After dinner, Carl George will give a presentation on Vintage Racing. I’m sure many of you know that Carl has vintage raced an MGA for some time now. Then, David Lee will speak about SCCA autocrossing his Mini. Due to  scheduling, the dinner will be held rain or shine even if the tour is rained out.