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Civic Heraldry of the United Kingdom England

WELLINGBOROUGH

Additions : 1974 Wellingborough RDC

Origin/meaning :
The five symbolic wells refer to the five chalybeate wells of Wellingborough. As they contain iron so red has been used, gold indicates the wealth of the area. The whole design of the shield has been counter changed per pale in order to produce a striking effect.

The crest shows a garb coloured gold to allude to agriculture in the area and on either side a cog wheel which taken together symbolise, not only agriculture, but also the industrial aspects of the area. The colours of the cog wheel are black and red so as to complement the dexter supporter and the basic colour of the shield of arms.

The dexter supporter is a black bull - a further reference to the agriculture of the area and also inspired by the Crest of Wellingborough Urban District Council as well as by one of the supporters of Northamptonshire County Council. The bull supports a crosier and veil proper of an abbot in allusion to Croyland Abbey. The sinister supporter shows a gold lion from the Arms of the Wellingborough Urban District Council. It supports a Currier's shave - a tool much used in the preparation of leather and so an allusion to the celebrated leather industry of the area.

Previously the council used the arms belwo:

The black field is a reference to the industrial background of Wellingborough's life. The leopard's faces are from the lions of England and commemorate the frequent associations of the town with the Royal House — the confirmation of the Church to Croyland by William I: the devolution of the Wellingborough lands to the Crown at the dissolution of the monasteries; and the patronage of Welling­borough in 1628 by Charles I for the benefits of the chalybeate springs. The chevron is taken from the Hatton Arms, together with the sheaf, which also represents agriculture. The five heraldic fountains repre­sent the five chief springs of the area, the Red, White, Stan, Bury Moor and Rising Sun Wells or springs.
The flames represent the Great Fire of 1738, and also the furnaces con­nected with the iron smelting industry. The black bull is from the arms of Northamptonshire County Council and refers also to the leather industry. The crosier refers to Croyland Abbey and the Tudor rose to the 16^th century charters affecting the town, and also to Wellingborough School in whose arms it appears.
The motto is taken from the inscription over the old school-house of 1620 and expresses the idea of progress directed by past experience.

Literature : Image and information provided by Laurence Jones; old image and info from here

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