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Civic Heraldry of the United Kingdom
England

WEST WILTSHIRE

Additions : 1975 Bradford & Melksham, Bradford-on-Avon, Melksham, Trowbridge, Warminster, Warminster & Westbury, Westbury

Origin/meaning :
The green shield and the wavy line represents the down, while both the chalk and the Bratton White Horse are symbolised by the horse. The golden chief symbolises the colour of the corn fields. The blue flowing stream in the chief forms the initial letters of the council, WW.

The crest shows a bustard, holding a grenade in its claw, symbolising the links between West Wiltshire and the army's presence on the Salisbury Plain. The bustard was reintroduced on the plain with the help of the army. The Wiltshire County also uses a bustard in its arms.

The supporters are two Wiltshire rams, to represent the sheep that provided the wool for the woollen industry for many centuries. The zigzag pattern is repeated in the collars of the sheep. The rams stand with one hoof on the symbols for agriculture and industry.

The motto 'Thy Contree' is taken from Chaucher's Balade de Bon Conseyl.

Literature : Information provided by the West Wiltshire Council.


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