MEDWAY
Additions : 1998 Rochester-upon-Medway, Gillingham
Origin/meaning :
The new Council was granted arms on 22 November 1999.
The arms show an English lion atop a bridge of four arches. This shows a new English council arising from four old ones. These were Gillingham, Rochester, Strood and Chatham.
The crest is based on that of the old Rochester-upon-Medway council. The colours have been changed and three wreaths added to the towers. The centre tower has a wreath of broom. This is derived from the sprig of broom in Gillingham's arms. The other towers have oak wreaths, coloured blue.
The supporters are two sea horses. These are a maritime version of the White Horse of Kent, showing that this is a maritime district in Kent. The checky collars and tridents were used in the similar supporters of
Rochester-upon-Medway. To them have been added harps, taken from the arms of Gillingham.
Literature : Image and information provided by Laurence Jones (laurencejones@eircom.net)