Introduction

In 2005 I was approached and asked to design an emblem for the Parish of Bathford in Somerset in connection with the twinning of the village to the French village of Artannes sur Indre. The Twinning Celebration and Signing of the Friendship Charter took place on October, 29th 2005. The pictures show a banner of the emblem in the Parish Hall and the signing of the charter. My thanks go to Maureen Breeze, Chair of the Bathford Twinning Association for the pictures. It should be noted however that the “arms” are in no way official, i.e. granted by Letters Patent from the College of Arms, and are to be regarded only as an emblem of an heraldic nature. They have however been formally adopted by the Parish Council.

Per chevron Azure and Vert in chief a Sprig of Oak and a Dragon rampant in base issuant a representation of Browne’s Folly all within a Bordure embattled Or charged with sixteen Gouttes d’Eau.

The chevron division of the shield suggests a green hill against a blue sky, representing the local landscape. The sprig of oak represents the rural nature of the area with its flora and fauna in general, it also represents the Browne’s Folly Nature Reserve in particular.
The dragon is derived from the arms of the Somerset County Council, here shown in its original gold colour, as is usual for the ancient symbol of the Kingdom of Wessex. In the base is a representation of Browne’s Folly itself, the famous local landmark.
The whole is within a gold border with embattled edges, reflecting the golden colour of the local stone used in many of the village’s buildings. It has an embattled edge, like the battlements of a castle, to suggest a protective wall and allude to the fact that Bathford is a walled village.
The drops of water represent raindrops and are a punning reference to the dedication of the parish church to St. Swithun, recalling the famous legend connected with him. The raindrops the source of all rivers, can also be seen as a reference to the River Avon.

In March 2007 I was commissioned by the Town Clerk to design an heraldic emblem for the Shirebrook Town Council in Derbyshire. The Council formally approved the design on 20th June 2007. It should be noted, as with Bathford, that the “arms” are in no way official, i.e. granted by Letters Patent from the College of Arms, and are to be regarded only as an emblem of an heraldic nature. The Council is however interested in having them formally granted by the College of Arms.

ARMS: Gyronny bevilled of eight Vert and Gules on Fess wavy Argent a Bar wavy Azure between in chief two Bees volant bendwise and in base an Acorn slipped and leaved all Or.

CREST: On a Wreath Or and Gules out of a Mural Crown Or a demi Stag proper supporting between the legs a Torch Or enflamed proper gorged with a Chain Or pendent therefrom a Rose Gules surmounted by another Argent both barbed and seeded proper.

The red part of the field represents energy, power, success and enthusiasm and the green represents the countryside, nature and the environment. The "bevilled" division lines have the appearance of bolts of lightning giving a further impression of energy and dynamism. All together these represent the urban and rural nature of Shirebrook with modern industries and open spaces in a rural setting. The blue and white wave across the centre of the shield represents a stream. The name of the town has two possible meanings - S.O. Kay, in his "Coronation Handbook" of 1937, opted for "bright, or shining stream", but Kenneth Cameron in his "Place Names of Derbyshire" prefers "boundary brook". Either way the band represents the “brook” part of the name of the town. The bees represent skill, perseverance, activity and industry. They can also be seen as representing a community working together for the common good, their golden colour represents wealth and prosperity. The acorn with its leaves is a further reference to the surrounding countryside with its hedgerows and woods. It also alludes to Stuffynwood and Littlewood to the south of the town. The oak has traditional associations with England and the acorn itself can be seen as representing the “new” Shirebrook growing and developing out of the old.
The gold and red of the wreath and mantling reflects the colours of the shield and is the same as those of the Derbyshire County Council. The mural crown represents municipal authority, and is gold like that in the crest of the Derbyshire County Council. The stag is a further reference to Derbyshire, being frequently included in the arms of many local authorities within the County. Like the stag supporter of the arms of the County Council, it has a chain around its neck with a Tudor Rose hanging therefrom. The Tudor Rose is another symbol associated with the County and forms the main emblem on its shield. The flaming torch is a symbol of education, science and learning. It can also be seen as representing a pioneering spirit and outlook.