Leighton-Linslade

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LEIGHTON-LINSLADE

Additions: 1965 Leighton Buzzard, Linslade
Incorporated into: 1974 South Bedfordshire (2009 Central Bedfordshire)

Official blazon

Arms: Quarterly Or and Gules a single-arched Bridge throughout Argent masoned Sable the keystone charged with an Ear of Wheat proper the whole between in chief two Celestial Crowns and in base a Lily Plant of three flowers counterchanged.
Crest: On a Wreath of the Colours a Water Ouzel displayed proper perched upon two Cog-Wheels Or each issuant from a Mural Crown Argent.
Motto: 'BY TRUTH AND DILIGENCE'

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on January 5, 1966.

The gold and red quarters are taken from the arms of Bedfordshire and the Beauchamp family. Leighton Buzzard originally was situated in Bedfordshire, Linslade in Buckinghamshire. The Beauchamp family received the manoralty of Linslade in 1068 from William the Conqueror. The colours thus stand for both former councils.

The two crowns are a symbol for the parish of All Saints in Leighton Buzzard and the lilies for the parish of St. Mary in Linslade. The bridge represents the bridge over the river Ouzel, which connects both towns. The ear of wheat on the bridge refers to the produce of the agricultural land in Buckinghamshire carried over the bridge to the market in Leighton Buzzard.

The two cog wheels symbolise local industry, and in particular the Lancer Boss Group, the donors of the Arms. The water ouzel symbolises the River Ouzel, which formerly seperated the two towns but is now shown as joining them together. The mural crowns are common symbols of civic government.

The motto is derived from that of the de Lucy family, Lords of Linslade in the 15th and 16th centuries.