Lancaster RDC

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LANCASTER (Rural district council)

Incorporated into : 1974 Lancaster

Official blazon

Arms : Argent a Fesse Wavy Azure between sixteen Roses Gules Barbed and Seeded proper ten in chief and six in base.
Crest : Issuant from a Coronet composed of four Fleurs-de-Lys set upon a Rim Or a demi-Lion guardant Azure gorged with a Riband Gold pendent therefrom an Escutcheon Argent charged with two Croziers in saltire also Azure and holding between the paws a Garb of the First.
Motto: 'SEMPER PROCEDENS' - Ever progressing

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on November 30, 1953.

The shield is an heraldic representation of the topography of the district. The blue wave represents the River Lune, and the ten red roses above and the six below is to symbolise the distribution of the sixteen constituent parishes. The white of the shield with the blue of the wave give the colours of the Duchy of Lancaster, and with the red of the roses, give the national colours appropriate to a grant in a Coronation year.

The blue and white livery colours with the ancient crown of fleurs-de-lys and the blue lion, link up with the arms of the City of Lancaster, wherein the Council's offices were situated. The blue croziers on the small white shield are taken from the arms of Cockersand Abbey, and the gold sheaf represents the rural interests.

The motto is connected to the ' Jamais Arriere ' (Never Backwards) of the Dukes of Hamilton, formerly of Ashton.