Newport Pagnell RDC

Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of the United Kingdom

NEWPORT PAGNELL (rural district council)

Incorporated into : 1974 Milton Keynes

Official blazon

Arms : Per fesse Gules and Sable a Bar wavy Argent between in chief an Oak Tree couped and fructed and in base an Eagle displayed wings inverted Or in the flanks and over all two Abbots' Croziers addorsed of the last.
Crest : On a Wreath of the Colours Out of a Mural Crown Gules a demi Bull Sable armed unguled and gorged with a Torse of Wheat Or resting the sinister hoof on a Buckinghamshire Lace-Pillow proper.
Motto : 'FRESH COURAGE TAKE'

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on May 10, 1957.

The background of red and black is in the County colours, and the white wave represents the River Ouse and its tributaries which water the area. The golden oak-tree, which can be typified as 'Cowpers Oak' represents the ancient wooded northern parts of which Salcey Forest is typical. The Roman eagle also in gold stands for the historical influence in the south of the Roman station of Magiovintum, which is considered to have been near where Brickhill now stands. The gold crosiers refer to the religious foundations at Bradwell, Lavendon and Ravenstone.

The red mural or walled crown, a symbol of civic government, also represents the brickmaking industry. Rising from this is a black bull with gold horns and hooves and wearing a chaplet of wheat, for the leather industry, agriculture and straw plaiting. The pillow refers to pillow lace making, a cottage industry encouraged by Flemish immigrants at the end of the eighteen^th century.

The motto is from one of the most widely known hymns of poet William Cowper, who lived at Olney for thirty years. (Hymns Ancient and Modern No. 373).

Literature : Information provided by David Hale