Clent

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CLENT (parish council)

Part of: 1974 Bromsgrove

Official blazon

Arms : Argent on a Saltire Vert between four Torteaux a Shackle of four Chains saltirewise the ends terminated in four broken Fetters Or.
Crest : Issuant from a Circlet of Oak Leaves Vert charged with a Stafford Knot between two Pears Or a demi Lion Argent brandishing with both paws a Banner of the Arms the Staff Argent; Wreath Or and Vert, Mantled Gules doubled Argent.

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted in 1999.

The red roundels are taken from the arms of the See of Worcester, and the green of the saltire is from the colour of the shield of arms of the Bromsgrove DC, in which the Parish of Clent lies. The gold shackle with broken fetters is the emblem of St Leonard, to whom the Parish Church is dedicated, representing not only the Saint's miracle in freeing a prisoner, but the liberation of the Spirit from the burdens of life, which is part of the purpose of the Parish Council. The design also illustrates one of the features of Clent, which has four main clusters of habitation separated by green fields.

The circlet of oak leaves stands for the woodlands in the Parish and in particular for the National Trust, while the Stafford Knot between two Worcestershire Pears signifies the changing allegiances in the history of Clent. The white lion is associated with the Mortimers, Earls of the Marches, who held much land hereabouts, including some in Bromsgrove though none actually in Clent. It is shown brandishing a banner of the arms, which is a flag repeating the design on the shield. The gold and green wreath, together with the red and white mantling, repeats the colour scheme of the shield.

The motto is taken from the opening words of Psalm 121, "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help". This is a reference to the Clent Hills, for which the Parish is famous.