Budleigh Salterton

Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of the United Kingdom

BUDLEIGH SALTERTON (borough council)

Incorporated into : 1974 East Devon

Official blazon

Arms : Gules upon Water in base barry wavy Argent and Azure an ancient one-masted Ship with two sails furled Or flying from the mast a Pennon and from the stern a Flag of St. George on a Chief Or three Billets also Azure the centre one charged with two Keys in saltire wards upwards Gold and the other two each charged with a Lion rampant also Gold
Crest : On a Wreath of the Colours in front of a Beacon Sable enflamed proper a Griffin segreant Or resting the dexter claw upon an Escutcheon Gules charged with five Lozenges conjoined in bend Argent and in fesse point a Martlet Sable.
Motto : 'BEAU SEJOUR'- Have a beautiful stay

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on December 15, 1959.

The red background represents the red cliffs of Devon rising out of the sea and the ship to the long seafaring history, in particular the former Budley Haven, on the right bank of the River Otter, which in former times operated freely as a port and handled a large amount of trade. The shield supported by the griffin show the arms of Sir Walter Raleigh, who was born at Hayes Barton, a farm some three miles from the town. Budleigh Salterton is the setting for the painting "The boyhood of Rayleigh" by Millais which hangs in the Tate Gallery. The beacon doubtless refers to West Down Beacon, where Devon's red cliffs rise steeply to some 500 feet.

Literature : Image and information from here