Macclesfield Charter Trustees and the arms of Macclesfield Borough

There appears to be a public momentum to petition for a new Macclesfield Town Council. Such a body would supersede the present Macclesfield Charter Trustees and take over their ceremonial functions and assets. If those who seek a new Parish Council (which may be called a town council) are successful, I am hopeful that they would seek advice from the College of Arms to reclaim the original coat of arms of the now defunct Borough Council.  



The arms of the former Macclesfield Borough Council granted 1960 and used until 1974.

Back in June 2009 it came to my attention that, as part of an awareness raising campaign, Macclesfield Charter Trustees had resolved to undertake the  "Design of an appropriate coat of arms for use on letterheads". Rather than rush for my pen and ink to remind them that as Charter Trustees of Macclesfield they probably had the right to use existing arms (perish the thought that they felt they could, or needed to, invent their own quite without authority)  but I decided to wait and see.

Fortunately, at their September meeting, the Trustees resolved to amend the earlier minute to read; "to arrange for the design of letterheads to incorporate the coat of arms of the old (pre- 1974) Macclesfield Borough".

It would be nice to see a resurrection - especially since these arms are still displayed in the town.

ARMS: Argent a Lion rampant Azure holding between the forepaws a Garb of Wheat proper.
CREST: On a Wreath Or and Azure out of a Circlet composed of four Towers conjoined with a Castle Wall Gold a Unicorn's Head Argent armed and crined of the first and gorged with a Label of five points Azure.
SUPPORTERS: On each side a Stag Or gorged with a Wreath Gold and Azure pendent therefrom by a Guige proper an Escutcheon that on the dexter Gules a Cross engrailed Ermine that on the sinister Argent a Chevron between three Bugle Horns stringed Sable.
BADGE: Upon a Plate encircled by a Torse Or and Azure a Lion holding a Garb as in the Arms.

Motto 'NEC VIRTUS NEC COPIA DESUNT' - Neither virtue nor plenty are lacking.
Granted 20th July 1960.