Wigan

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WIGAN

Metropolitan Borough

Additions : 1974 Abram UDC, Ashton-in-Makerfield UDC (partly), Aspull UDC, Atherton UDC, Billinge & Winstanley UDC (partly), Golborne UDC (partly), Hindley UDC, Ince-in-Makerfield UDC, Leigh (Borough), Orrell UDC, Standish-with-Langtree UDC, Tyldesley UDC, Wigan (Borough), Wigan RDC (partly)

Official blazon

Arms : Lozengy Or and Sable each Lozenge Or charged with a Rose Gules barbed and seeded proper on a Chief Sable a Lion couchant guardant Or.
Crest : On a Wreath of the Colours in front of a Mountain Ash (Wiggin Tree) fructed proper a Castle triple towered Argent the centre tower ensigned by an Ancient Crown Or.
Supporters : On the dexter side a Lion crowned with an Ancient Crown Or and on the sinister side a Sparrowhawk close proper belled Or the whole upon a Compartment representing a Grassy Mount proper.
Motto : 'PROGRESS WITH UNITY'

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on ??.

The black lozenges allude to coal mining and reflect the arms of Atherton UDC, Golborne UDC and Hindley UDC. The red roses refer to the County of Lancashire, Golborne and Hindley UDCs. The gold lion couchant is taken from the crest of the Borough of Wigan (see below) and features in one of the ancient seals of that borough.

The crowned castle is taken from the shield of the Borough of Wigan, the castle and crown are elements from one of the borough's medieval seals. The mountain ash or Wiggin Tree is chosen as a pun on the name of the district. Branches of this tree are borne by the supporters in the Arms of the Borough of Wigan and the tree features in many of the borough's medieval seals.

The dexter supporter is taken from the achievement of the Borough of Wigan. The lion here wears a crown of the type which features in the crest. The sparrowhawk occurs in the Arms of the Borough of Leigh and in the crest of the Atherton UDC.

The Motto - Progress with Unity, is an apt one for an authority which embraces 14 former districts.

Borough

Official blazon

Arms : Gules a Castle with three towers Argent surmounted by a Crown composed of Fleur de Lis Or.
Crest : On a Wreath of the Colours in front of a King's Head affrontee couped below the shoulders proper vested Gules crowned and crined Or a Lion couchant guardant Or.
Supporters : On either side a Lion Or holding in the exterior paw a Branch of Mountain Ash proper.
Motto : 'ANCIENT AND LOYAL'