Failsworth

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FAILSWORTH

Incorporated into : 1974 : Oldham

Official blazon

Arms : Per pale Gules and Argent three Bendlets enhanced per pale Or and of the first on a Chief Ermine a Chapeau of the first turned up Ermine between two Roses also of the first barbed seeded stalked and leaved proper.
Crest : On a Wreath of the Colours upon a Mount Vert a Griffin segreant Gules with three Shafts of Lightning issuant from the beak Or and supporting a representation of the Failsworth Pole proper.
Motto: 'TRUE WORTH NEVER FAILS'

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on January 20, 1948.

The red and gold bendlets are from the arms of the mediaeval family of de Greilley, Lords of Manchester, who held Failsworth in the 13^th century. These are combined with red bendlets on silver from the arms of Robert de Byron, to whom the Manor later passed. The red chapeau (a kind of mediaeval hat) trimmed with ermine represents hat making and the two Lancashire roses show the County allegiance.

The griffin is from the arms of the Chetham family, who succeeded to the former tenure of the Byrons. The three golden shafts of lightning coming from the griffin's beak refer to Failsworth's interest in the electrical industry. The Failsworth Pole, a local landmark set up as a token of loyalty to the Crown in 1793 completes the picture.

The motto is, of course, of the punning kind and expresses pride in civic integrity and the high quality of the town's industrial products.