Phil's tribute to Halesowen (From Halesowen News)

Phil's tribute to Halesowen

9:39am Tuesday 13th January 2009 in News

A former Halesowen man has designed a unique tartan as a tribute to his beloved home town.

Engineer Philip Tibbetts loves Halesowen so much he came up with an original plaid for it which has been registered on the Scottish Tartans World Register.

The 24-year-old former Earls High pupil, who now works in Preston, has had a kilt made out of his unique Halesowen plaid which he proudly sports.

Philip said he decided to design the plaid after he took up Scottish country dancing.

He said: "I have had an incredibly positive rection so far.

"People have said the Halesowen plaid is one of the nicest blue kilts they've ever seen and how fun they think the concept is and how good they think it is for the town to have a symbol like this."

The engineering project manager, who returns to Halesowen regularly to visit his parents and friends, has also designed a flag for Halesowen which combines elements of the town's two coats of arms.

He said it would look fitting on the old council house in Halesowen or St John's Church.

Philip said Halesowen is a wonderful place. He said: "I love how Halesowen can draw on both a superb industrial heritage but at the same time is the gateway to beautiful Worcestershire - the green border of the Black Country.

"The town has poets, saints, schools, sports, politicians, industries all weaving a rich tapestry of culture that leaves an indelible mark on the people that live in such a unique place. All you have to do to realise this is look around you."

The Halesowen Town FC supporter, who left Halesowen in 2003 to study at St Andrew's University, has also designed a flag, heraldic emblem and plaid for the Black Country.

Visit www.scottish-tartans-world-register.com.