SWALE
Additions : 1974 Queenborough-in-Sheppey, Faversham and Sittingbourne & Milton with the Rural District of Swale
Origin/meaning :
The arms were granted in 1977.
The shield is coloured gold to signify the wealth of the area in so many different ways: historical, industrial, agricultural and so on. Across the centre of the shield is placed a band of symbolic water in allusion to the water borne industrial activity of the area which includes dock and port facilities, boat building and all the many other connected and ancillary trades and occupations. The band of symbolic water also refers to The Swale and so is a pun or cant upon the very name of the District. In the upper part of the shield a lion rampant guardant dimidiates the hulk of a medieval ship. This device is taken from the Arms of the Cinque ports of which Faversham is a limb. In the lower part of the shield are piaced five cherries in reference to the fact that the district is the centre of the Kentish fruit growing activities. It will be recalled that cherry growing was introduced into the area in the time of Henry VIII.
The crest consists of a Ram and a Horse supporting a mural Crown. The Colours are heraldic being Azure (blue) Argent (silver or white) and Or (gold) which are a reflection of the basic tinctures of the shield. The Ram is a further reference to agriculture which is both varied and important in the district and has a particular reference to the Isle of Sheppey. The white horse is the white horse of Kent, and these two support a mural Crown which is a symbol of municipal government.
The supporter on each side is a sea lion. The lions are the royal beasts of England and refer in particular to King Stephen and Queen Maud who founded at Faversham the Cluniac Abbey where they are buried. The other lion refers to Edward III who founded Queenborough. Each is made into a sea lion because of the marine importance of the area. The Supporter to the Dexter holds an abbatial crosier complete with veil flowing down from the shaft. This refers to the various significant and monastic and other religious establishments of the area and in particular Minster in Sheppey and Faversham Abbey. The Supporter on the sinister supports a pilgrim's staff and pouch in allusion to the fact that the District is on the Pilgrims Way
from London to Canterbury.
The motto is a reference to the local fruit growing industry.
Literature : Information provided by Laurence Jones (laurencejones@eircom.net)
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