Blackburn RDC

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BLACKBURN (rural district council)

Incorporated into: 1974 Hyndburn, Blackburn with Darwen, Ribble Valley

Official blazon

Arms : Or a Lion rampant Purpure armed and langued Vert on a Chief wavy of the last a Bee volant between two Fusils Gold.
Crest : On a Wreath of the Colours out of a Mural Crown Or charged with three Roses Gules barbed and seeded proper a Mount Vert thereon a Cow statant guardant Argent.
Motto: 'SERVA FIDEM' - Keep faith.

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on February 23, 1955.

The shield is largely composed of the arms of the de Lacy family, Lords of Blackburnshire and of the Honour of Clitheroe in the 13^th century, who bore a purple lion an a gold ground. Most of the manors and lands in the district were held by them or families connected to them - The Balderstones, Talbots and the Liveseys. The wavy line denotes the River Ribble, which forms the northern boundary. The green chief represents the rural land and agricultural character of the district, the bee represents industry in general and the fusils the cotton industry in particular. The fusil is an heraldic conventionalised spindle and are here coloured gold for prosperity. The fusils are also reminiscent of the emblems in the arms of the County Borough of Blackburn , for the distinguished local Fielden family. The bee also, as in the County Borough arms, gives the initial of the name.

The crest-wreath and mantling are in the de Lacy colours of gold and purple. Upon the wreath stands a mural or walled crown, a symbol of local authority, and an incidental reference to the local brick industry. It is of gold and is charged with the three red roses from the County arms. Within the crown is a mound of grass, and thereon a white cow for the famous strain which used to roam wild in the area, and also for the very important stock raising and dairy farming.

The motto is that of a local family, the Gerstanes of Tockholes. The scroll itself may be taken as a reference to the paper industry.