A family business since 1975
In Loving Memory of Our Founder
Clifford Newton “The Flag Man”
1933 – 2018
Clifford Newton, affectionately known as “The Flag Man,” sadly passed away in November 2018 at the age of 85.
He founded Newton Newton Flag & Banner Makers in Radcliffe-on-Trent in August 1975. From humble beginnings and with no prior experience — only a “real fire in the belly,” as Cliff fondly recalled — he built a business grounded in passion, craftsmanship, strong family values, dedication to excellence, honesty and pride
“It’s never been a job for me, it’s a passion.” — Cliff Newton
Nearly five decades later, Newton Newton continues to uphold the same values of quality, trust, and integrity that Cliff instilled from the very start.
After Cliff and his wife Georgina retired, the family business passed to their daughters, Tracy and Selina, who continue his legacy with pride and dedication.
Where it all began
Cliff Newton’s Early Interest in Flags
Cliff Newton’s fascination with flags was first sparked in his childhood, after his father brought home a German flag at the end of the Second World War.
Cliff’s father was a saxophonist who had lost his instrument in Norway in 1941. Needing another to continue earning a living with his weekend dance band, he went to buy a replacement saxophone after being de-mobbed in 1945. On that same trip, he took a young Cliff to the London flag makers Turtle & Pearce, located at 31 Tanner Street, London, SE1 4LQ, where he bought his first flag—a brand new Union Flag.
That simple purchase marked the beginning of Cliff’s lifelong interest in flags. At that time, the term vexillology—the study of flag history, usage, protocol, and etiquette—had not yet been coined; it would only appear later, in 1957.
From that moment onward, Cliff began collecting flags, and over the next 25 years, despite having only a Class 3 Army Certificate, he became deeply engrossed in the world of vexillology.
Early Beginnings
Newton Newton Flag and Banner Makers began life in August 1975 in Radcliffe-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire. The idea was sparked when a local hotel asked if they could borrow some flags for an upcoming event. Cliff Newton’s response was simple: “You can’t borrow them — but you can hire them.”
That hotel happened to be hosting athletes for the 1975 World Rowing Championships at nearby Holme Pierrepont, and Newton Newton went on to supply all the national flags for the event.
From that moment, a proud family business was born — one built on craftsmanship, family values, service and a touch of entrepreneurial flair.
The early years of Newton Newton was purely as a company which hired National flags and was run in tandem with Mum & Dad’s respective ‘day’ jobs.
Under the Category of ‘The Creation of a Small Business’ he studied methods, materials and techniques at 23 flag makers across 19 states of the USA.
In 1984 Dad successfully applied for a Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fund Fellowship.
On Dad’s return from the USA Newton Newton started to manufacture flags and ceremonial standards and the rest, as they say, is history…