Ellesmere Port and Neston
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Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of the United Kingdom |
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ELLESMERE PORT AND NESTON
Additions : 1974 Ellesmere Port Borough, Neston UDC
Official blazon
Arms : Quarterly Gules and Azure on a Bar Argent a Barrulet Sable surmounted of a Pale also Argent thereon a Pallet Azure in the first quarter a Beaver in the second a Mercian Cross in the third a Garb and in the fourth a Cornucopia inverted all Gold.
Crest : On Wreath Argent Gules and Azure within a Circlet Argent rimmed Or and charged with two Barrulets wavy Azure a Lymphad sail set proper and charged with a Cogwheel Sable Flags and Pennon Flying Gules.
Supporters : On the dexter side a Sea Horse and on the sinister side a Tabby Cat guardant both proper and gorged with a Mural Crown the compartment of Grass also proper.
Motto : 'LET US GO FORWARD TOGETHER'
Origin/meaning
The arms were officially granted on ?
The black horizon line between silver borders symbolises the old pipes of the petroleum industry, and the blue vertical line between similar borders represents the Manchester Ship Canal on which Ellesmere Port is the first inward port of call. The beaver in the first quarter of the shield refers to industry, while the Mercian Cross in the second quarter is representative of the Neston area of the Borough. The heraldic golden sheaf or "garb", which since the thirteenth century has been traditionally associated with the Earldom and cheshireCounty of Chester appears in the third quarter, while the cornucopia in the fourth quarter suggests prosperity.
The blues and white wavy lines on the crest are symbolical of the river Mersey and the ancient ship of commerce (or "lymphad") denotes the borough's status as a port and its ancient maritime associations. The cogwheel on the sail of the lymphad's is another symbolic reference to industry.
The seahorse has reference to the borough's connection with the sea, while the symbolism of the "Tabby Cat" with its "Cheshire Grin" is self-evident.
Literature : Image and information taken from http://irisi.works.co.uk/GRAPHICS/CSITES/ellesmer/council/arms and http://www.civicheraldry.co.uk