Kennet

Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of the United Kingdom

KENNET

Additions : 1974 Devizes (Borough), Devizes RDC, Marlborough (Borough), Marlborough & Ramsbury RDC, Pewsey RDC
Incorporated into : Wiltshire

Official blazon

Arms : Vert on a Fess wavy between in chief a Sheep passant Argent between two Garbs and in base a Hunting Horn stringed Or a Bar wavy Azure.
Crest : On a Wreath of the Colours in front of a representation of Silbury Hill proper thereon a Lion passant guardant Or grasping by the blade a Sword point downward proper winged Azure hilt and pommel Or Five Sarson Stones proper.

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on September 16, 1976.

The green shield represents the overwhelmingly rural nature of the district. Across the centre is a blue and silver wave which represents the River Kennet which gives the district its name. The top part of the shield represents the downs of the northern part of the district. The sheep and garbs show that wool production and agriculture are the mainstays of that area. The bottom of the shield is for the south of the district comprising the Vale of Pewsey and Savernake Forest. It is charged with a representation of the Esturmy Horn, that was the symbol of wardenship of the forest.

The green and white livery colours echo the colours of the local landscape - green forests and downlands and white for chalk. The colours are also used by the Wiltshire County Council. The crest has a mound for Silbury Hill and five Sarson Stones. These are two important prehistoric monuments in the area. The number of stones is five to reflect the five merged councils. The Royal lion and sword stands for the many British Army bases in the district, while the blue wings refer to the Royal Air Force airfields.

Literature : Image and information provided by Laurence Jones