Name/TitleFlag: Skull and Skatebones
About this objectFlag made for Portsmouth Roller Wenches by Mrs Diane Taylor. The flag features a printed white skull and crossbones on a black background, with white felt roller skates glued to the bones.
Photo credits: Portsmouth Roller Wenches
MakerPortsmouth Roller Wenches
MakerTaylor, Diane
Maker RoleMaker
Date Made2012
Period2010s
Place MadeEngland, Portsmouth
Medium and MaterialsOrganic, textile
MeasurementsH: 90 x W: 154 cm
Subject and Association Keywordssport - roller derby
Subject and Association DescriptionNote from Eureka Pain, the donor:
Portsmouth Roller Wenches first flag, ‘The skull and skatebones’, was used between August 2012 and February 2013. This flag was hand made by Diane Taylor (mother of Roller Wench 'Eureka Pain' aka Laura Taylor) in support of the Wenches for their first ever home bout against Team Sealand Roller Derby at Havant Leisure Centre on 4th August 2012.
The flag was present at three further Portsmouth Roller Wenches bouts: two home bouts at Havant Leisure Centre - Birmingham Blitz Dames on 29th September 2012 and Big Bucks High Rollers on 21st October 2012; and one away game - Croydon Roller Derby on 10th February 2013. After this game the flag was retired, and the new blue and white embroidered flag was used. The blue flag was first used at Portsmouth Roller Wenches home bout against London Roller girls C team- BatterC Power on the 23rd March 2013.
After Covid Lockdown when derby was returning the skull and skatebones flag was present at the Portsmouth Roller Wenches closed door scrim against Brighton in Cosham on the 26th June 2022. This was the last Roller derby bout the flag was displayed at before it was donated to the National Museum of Roller Derby in September 2022. This handmade flag is a reminder of our journey from DIY enthusiasts to tournament regulars - a feat we remember as we rebuild after the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.
Named CollectionNMRD @ Glasgow Women's Library
Object TypeFlag
Object numberGWL-2022-120-1
Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved