| BATHFORD PARISH COUNCIL |
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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. BlazonPer 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. |
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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. |
| SHIREBROOK TOWN COUNCIL |
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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. |
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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. |
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