Mayoral Chain Leek Staffordshire

 As a Leekensian and a heraldry addict I have a double interest in any news that touches upon both interests.

The Leek Town Council website informs us that Cllr. Derek Hilyer was elected as The Mayor of Leek at the Leek Town Council Annual Meeting held in May 2025 and provided us with not only a photo of the Mayor proudly wearing his Chain of Office but also provides a close up of the heraldic pendant upon the Chain. Belated congratulations to Derek (I'm a bit late with this report) and many thanks to Belinda Hargreaves of Our Leek & Moorlands publication for providing the photos (especially of the Chain).

Cllr. Derek Hilyer resplendant in his Chain of Office

The Arms of Leek Town Council as featured on the Mayoral Chain

(The moorcock seems to have become a bit faded but hey, it is blazoned as Proper so perhaps, like me it has grayed with age!)

Arms : Azure a Saltire patonce between in chief a Stafford Knot in fesse two Suns and in base a Garb all Or. Crest : Out of a Mural Crown Or charged with three Mulberry Leaves proper a Mount of Heather thereon a Moorcock also proper resting the dexter claw on a Leek small-weave Shuttle Gold threaded Gules.  Motto: 'ARTE FAVENTE NIL DESPERANDUM'- Our skill assisting us, we have no cause for despair.

The arms were officially granted on May 7, 1956 to Leek Urban District Council but are now used by Leek Town Council.

For an explanation of the rationale behind the design, see: 

https://weblog.heraldryaddict.uk/2020/07/leeks-civic-heraldry-and-finest-garden.html

Terry Melia, Past Chairman of the Yorkshire Heraldry Society

It has just been announced by the Yorkshire Heraldry Society that following a long, arduous and bravely fought illness, past Chairman Terry Melia has died. I would like to pass on my condolences to Terry's loved ones; he was a gentleman and will be missed.

Silver Jubilee - Armorial

Am I allowed to have a Silver Jubilee given that I am neither a Monarch celebrating my accession to the throne or a company celebrating its founding? Well, this year I am celebrating a Silver Anniversary anyway, that of the granting of my armorial bearings, by The College of Arms, on the 15th December 2000. Whilst this milestone event is not going to be marked with National celebrations and parades, nor accompanied by the issuance of special medals or coins, it is nevertheless, in my household at least, going to be proudly, if somewhat modestly, celebrated with cake and bubbly and the occassional glass of single (English) malt. I shall celebrate the date of the Scottish matriculation with Scottish Malt at the appropriate time.

Arms: Argent on a Chevron between three Swords erect Gules three Quills erect Argent. Crest: On a Helm with a Wreath Argent and Gules a Goose Argent beaked Or resting its dexter foot against an Oak Tree Gules fructed Or. Motto: IURE FACTUM NON ERIT IRRITUM (Where there’s a Will there’s a way).

Granted: 15th December 2000 (College of Arms), Matriculated: 21st November 2002 (Court of Lord Lyon).

Agent: Thomas Woodcock (Norroy and Ulster King of Arms).

English Breakfast tea will be offered in the armorial tea service, the manufacture of which was so kindly facilitated by John F. Mueller .

3rd Annual Heraldry Ireland Lecture

 The 3^rd Annual Heraldry Ireland Lecture is to be held on Tuesday 13^th May 2025 at 20.00hrs (UTC+1).   

Yorkshire Heraldry Day

The Yorkshire Heraldry Day; Heraldic Symposium is to be held at The Royal Armories, Leeds, on Saturday 28th June 2025 10.00 am to 4.00 pm.

The application form can be found here:

http://english-heraldry.co.uk/yorkshire-symposium-2025.pdf

How about becoming a professional? College of Arms Job Advertisement

 The College of Arms are advertising for a Probationary Officer of Arms.

Organization

The College of Arms is the official heraldic authority for England, Wales, Northern Ireland and most of the Commonwealth realms. It is responsible for the granting of new coats of arms and the recording of pedigrees. The College also maintains official registers of arms and pedigrees. The officers of arms, in addition to their ceremonial duties, advise on matters relating to dignities, honours, precedence and official symbols, and undertake genealogical, historical and other research.

The College consists of up to thirteen officers of arms, also known as heralds, individually appointed by the Crown on the recommendation of the Earl Marshal.

Brief description

The College of Arms is seeking to recruit a new probationary officer of arms subject to a twelve-month training period. This role would suit someone with a genuine interest in British and Commonwealth history. The successful candidate will learn how to deal with heraldic and genealogical enquiries arising from members of the public and various organisations, how to process applications for new grants of arms and about other work undertaken by the College. Upon completion of this training period, the candidate will be assessed with a view to formal appointment as an officer of arms. If appointed, he or she will run an independent heraldic and genealogical practice within the College generating his or her own income.

Full details can be found on the College of Arms website:

https://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/news-grants/news/item/241-probationary-officer-of-arms-job-advertisement

Good Luck.

A COLLECTION OF NINE PAINTED ARMORIAL CRESTS AND COATS OF ARMS

 On the 14th of January, a collection of nine painted armorial crests and coats of arms went up for auction with Woolley and Wallis Auctioneers. 

Described as A COLLECTION OF NINE PAINTED ARMORIAL CRESTS AND COATS OF ARMS EARLY 18TH CENTURY relating to the ancient family of Brereton, Cheshire and perhaps from Brereton Hall, the shields with the arms of Castle / Caerleon, Willoughby Baron Middleton, the Earls of Chester, Brereton, Malpas, Egerton, Corbet, Orreby possibly Strange and Clobery or Waller, some on a carved, painted and gilt scrolling strapwork mount (A lot)20.5cm high, 18cm wide (max).

I had to doctor the image as their photo had the quartered coat, bottom left, upside down. It is now righted.

With a guide price (estimate) of £300 to £400, the hammer fell at £1008.00 including buyer's premium.