UTTOXETER could be set for its own coat of arms if new plans put forward by the town council come to fruition.
The idea was mooted at last week’s full town council meeting by town councillor and local historian Hugh Montgomery.
The proposal was well-received by the rest of the council and they have agreed to take the plan forward by asking for a grant of arms.
Councillor Montgomery (pictured right) told the meeting that it would be great to have the coat of arms ready to go on the front of the newly refurbished town hall when it is completed.
He said: “I think the council should push as much as possible to make something big that we could do for the Queen’s jubilee next year.
“We are one of the only councils of this size which doesn’t have a coat of arms — Ashbourne does for example.
“I suggest we actually have a coat of arms that we can put on letterheads and can eventually put on the front of the newly refurbished town hall.
“I think that it could be a good thing to do for the jubilee and it will only take eight or nine months to produce.
“I have enquired about costs and it would be something less than £6,000 but a coat of arms is something long-lasting that would still be around in 500 years.” Councillor Lucy Webb said it was a great idea but admitted she was concerned about where the money for it would come from.
She said: “I was thinking when you said £6,000 where would we get that money from but I must say the idea that we have something that gives Uttoxeter something central to revolve around at the jubilee is great.
“In terms of cost I wonder can we get a grant for this money or do some sort of fund-raising within Uttoxeter.” Councillor James Russell asked what advantage there is to a coat of arms over a logo which could see community involvement and may cost ‘a lot less.’ Councillor Montgomery said: “A grant of arms is a heritable honour — a logo has no value. It is something that becomes the town’s by-right and it is an important credibility thing.
“Why does Ashbourne get the Highland Gathering? One of the reasons is that they have a coat of arms it is one of the first things you see when you go there.” Deputy mayor Councillor Martin Blencowe said a coat of arms may be an ideal way to promote the town.
He said: “If we are trying to push and promote Uttoxeter it seems the ideal way to do it.
“As the town hall redevelopment goes forward we could get the money for a coat of arms as part of that.” The town council agreed that it would formally ask for a grant of arms for Uttoxeter.
