AMPTHILL RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL

ARMS: Or a Stag's Head Gules between the attires an Escutcheon Azure charged with three Bars wavy of the first encircled by a Chaplet of Oak fructed proper on a Chief Sable a Lion passant guardant Gold.
CREST: On a Wreath of the Colours out of a Mural Crown a demi-Lion Gules gorged with a Collar Argent charged with three Escallops Sable supporting between the paws a Garb Or.

Motto 'COURAGE AND SKILL'.
Granted 11th February 1957.

ampthill rdc arms

The emblems on the shield symbolise that the district corresponds almost exactly to the old Unions of Ampthill and Woburn. The majority of villages in the district formed part of the King's Honour of Ampthill, established by Henry VIII and functioning until 1930. This royal connection is symbolised by the lion from the Royal Arms, which is set on the black chief from the arms of the Russells, Dukes of Bedford, seated at Woburn. The Abbey arms are displayed between the Antlers of a red deer's head, for Woburn, which had at one time the greatest deer park in Europe, and the wreath of oak also refers to this.
The red and gold of the wreath and mantling are those of the County. The red walled or mural crown, symbolises Ampthill Castle, local government and the modern brick industry. From this rises the red lion of the Russells, with its white collar carrying three black scallop shells, supporting a gold sheaf for the agricultural and straw plaiting activities.
The motto is from a quotation in Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, near the end. This refers to the character of the inhabitants and their skill in the local industries of all kinds. Bunyan had connections with this district.


LUTON RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL

ARMS: Per chevron Argent and Vert a Pale counterchanged between three Sickles proper on the Argent.
CREST: On a Wreath Argent Vert and Or a Bull's Head Or in the mouth an endless Chain of nineteen Links Argent; Mantled Vert doubled Argent and Or.

Granted 20th September 1959.

luton rdc arms

I have no definitive infomation, but have surmised the follow: The green and white field with the per chevron division refers to the Dunstable Downs, part of the Chiltern Hills, in southern Bedfordshire. They are a chalk escarpment forming the north-eastern reaches of the Chilterns. At 243 m, Dunstable Downs are the highest point in the county of Bedfordshire. The pale represents the Roman Watling Street and the sickles recall that historically, Luton and the surrounding area was the centre of the straw hat trade in England, producing a large share of all the women's hats manufactured and worn in the country.
The gold bull is derived from the supporter of the County arms and refers to the importance of agriculture in the District. The chain refers to the area's engineering interests and the nineteen links to the District's nineteen parishes.
Any further information appreciated.


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