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Civic Heraldry of the United Kingdom England

HALTON

Additions : 1974 Runcorn UDC, Runcorn RDC (partly), Widnes, Whiston RDC (partly)

Origin/meaning :
The arms were granted on October 6, 1983.

The arms of William Fitznigel,one of the Norman Barons of Halton, provided the initial inspiration for the escutcheon: his personal coat of arms displayed golden lozenges on a field of red. The pallets wavy symbolize the Borough's waterways, and also brine which is an important raw ingredient in the chemical industry.

The crest shows on a helmet, a gold and red wreath supports a circlet of red Lancashire roses; this encircles a golden wheatsheaf which provides a link with the arms of the county of Cheshire. Red and gold mantling, on both sides of the helmet, complete the crest.

The aupporters are a blue male griffin, which has connections with a local legend concerning the Bold family which once had strong associations with Farnworth Parish Church. The golden rays, emanating from the griffin's body, refer to the dynamism of the district and the continual efforts to increase the industrial prosperity and well-being of the Borough's citizens. The golden alembic refers to the chemical industry; a similar device appeared on the Widnes coat of arms. The supporter on the sinister side is a black lion, this is taken from the arms of the Savage family which was once an important landowner in Weston. The lion's crown is a reminder of the local links with the monarchy through the Duchy of Lancaster and Halton Castle. The abbot's crozier reminds us of Norton Abbey which played an important role in the district until the dissolution. Both supporters look backwards over their shoulders in a vigilant manner, this underlines the need for the Borough Council to be alert in promoting the economic and social welfare of its citizens. The whole rests upon an arc of black steel, this symbolises the Runcorn-Widnes bridge, which links the twin towns, and provides the area with its most significant landmark.

The Motto: Industria Navem lmplet, which translates as 'Industry fills the ships' echoes the mottoes borne by Runcorn Urban District Council and Widnes Borough Council.

Literature : Image and information provided by Laurence Jones

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