West Wiltshire

Heraldry of the World
Civic heraldry of the United Kingdom

WEST WILTSHIRE

Additions : 1974 Bradford & Melksham RDC, Bradford-on-Avon UDC, Melksham UDC, Trowbridge UDC, Warminster UDC, Warminster & Westbury RDC, Westbury UDC
Incorporated into : 2009 Wiltshire

Official blazon

Arms : Vert a representation of Bratton White Horse and on a Chief wavy Or a Bar dancetty Azure.
Crest : On a Wreath Argent and Vert a Great Bustard resting the dexter claw on a Grenade Or fired proper; Mantled Vert doubled Or.
Supporters : On either side a Ram Or armed and unguled Argent gorged with a Collar dancetty Azure their interior hind-legs resting on a Cog-wheel and a Garb fesswise Gold.
Motto : 'KNOW THY CONTREE'

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on June 6, 1980.

The green shield and the wavy line represents the down, while both the chalk and the Bratton White Horse are symbolised by the horse. The golden chief symbolises the colour of the corn fields. The blue flowing stream in the chief forms the initial letters of the council, WW.

The crest shows a bustard, holding a grenade in its claw, symbolising the links between West Wiltshire and the army's presence on the Salisbury Plain. The bustard was reintroduced on the plain with the help of the army. The Wiltshire County also uses a bustard in its arms.

The supporters are two Wiltshire rams, to represent the sheep that provided the wool for the woollen industry for many centuries. The zigzag pattern is repeated in the collars of the sheep. The rams stand with one hoof on the symbols for agriculture and industry.

The motto 'Thy Contree' is taken from Chaucher's Balade de Bon Conseyl.

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Literature : Information provided by the West Wiltshire Council.