Neath Borough

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NEATH

Additions: 1974 Neath RDC (partly)
Incorporated into : 1996 Neath and Port Talbot

Arms (crest) of Neath Borough

Official blazon

Arms: Per chevron embattled and per pale Argent and Sable three Towers twin-turreted all counterchanged.
Crest: On a Wreath Argent and Sable a demi Cistercian Monk affronty habited proper resting the dexter hand on a Harp Or.
Supporters: On either side a Dragon Argent murally crowned and charged with seven Gouttes Sable breathing Flames proper and langued Gules.
Motto: 'ONI HEUIR NI FEDIR' - He who does not sow does not reap.

Origin/meaning

The arms were granted on February 11, 1983.

The design is based on the old seal of the Borough of Neath which had a distinctive double-turreted tower. The basic colours are black and white or silver. The black refers to the coal-mining and oil industries whilst the white or silver refers to the metal industries once so prevalent in the Borough.

The monk is a reference to the pre-Reformation Cistercian Abbey at Neath Abbey, whilst the harp refers to the strong musical tradition in the area. The dragon supporters are a reference to Wales and the flames refer to the old smelting industries of the Borough. The seven drops of oil on each dragon represent the oil industry once more and also the fourteen Communities which constitute the Borough. The Borough is entitled to have the dragons murally crowned. This charge is reserved for Boroughs and Senior Army Officers. The motto is derived from the former Rural District of Neath: ONI HEUIR NI FEDIR or, He who does not sow does not reap.

The previous arms were granted on February 20, 1961.

Arms (crest) of Neath Borough

Official blazon

Arms: Per fesse Or and barry wavy Azure and Argent on a Mount Vert in base point a Tower double-towered Gules between two Lymphads issuant from the fesse line Sable flags and pennons per fesse of the third and Vert the sails also Gules charged with a Clarion Gold.
Crest: Out of a Mural Crown Sable a demi Eagle displayed wings inverted Or incensed proper and gorged with a Collar of Steel also proper pendent therefrom an Escutcheon Argent charged with the astronomical sign for Mars also Sable; Mantled Azure doubled Or.
Supporters: On either side a Dragon Gules gorged with an ancient Crown Or pendent therefrom an Escucheon that on the dexter Or three Chevronels Gules that on the sinister quarterly Argent and Gules fretty Or a bendlet Sable.
Motto: TU NIDAM SERVAS'

Origin/meaning

The two black ships represent the coal trade with the blue and white waves representing the river below. The flags flying from the ships' masts are green and white, the colours of Wales, and the gold clarion on the sails are from the arms of Richard de Granville, Lord of Neath, Constable of the Castle of Neath and founder of Neath Abbey. The red tower on a green base represents the castle on the river bank.

The symbol of Mars is generally used to represent metal working. The two red dragons are symbols of Wales. The one on the left carries the arms of the de Clare family, Lords of Glamorgan, while the one on the right carries the arms of Hugh de Despenser, Lord of Gower.

Neath.jj.jpg

The seal as used on a JaJa postcard +/- 1905
Neath.haguk.jpg

The seal in the Coffee Hag albums +/- 1925

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Literature: Image and information provided by Laurence Jones (laurencejones@eircom.net) and http://www.civicheraldry.co.uk