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Thornbury Town Council Official Guide
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 Thornbury Town  Council

Thornbury Town Council,
Town Hall,
High Street,
Thornbury,
BS35 2AR,


Tel Enquiries: 01454 412103
Fax Enquiries: 01454 281638

Email: Thornbury Council
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Thornbury's Coat of Arms

In 1994, to commemorate the centenary of Parish Councils and the move to its new headquarters at the Town Hall, Thornbury Town Council formally assumed a Coat of Arms. The Arms can be described as follows:
The Crest consists of a thorn tree bearing fruit representing Thornbury (A Burg protected by a thorn hedge) growing from a mount on which is superimposed the Stafford Knot in gold. The tree and mount are their natural colours. Below the crest is a traditional civic helm in silver and both are supported by a mantel of twisted crest-wreath worked in red and gold. The crest echoes that of the arms of the former Thornbury Rural District Council.

Branbury CrestThe Shield - Is quartered and comprises quarterly:
First Quarter - A black inverted triangle with silver background to each side over which is superimposed a chevron with ‘ragged’ ends, the chevron being black over the silver background and red over the black triangle. (Argent on a pile sable, a chevron, ends indented sable and gules.) The device is from the arms of the Attwell family which had close Thornbury connections not least being instrumental in the foundation of Thornbury Grammar School of which Marlwood is the successor.

Second Quarter - Six dagger-like crosses with three of their traverses recrossed in
silver on a red background separated by a diagonal band of silver.(Gules on bend
argent between six cross crosslets fitchee argent.) This is derived from the arms
of the Howard family, holders of the manor of Thornbury and the last to use
Thornbury Castle as a residence.

Third Quarter - Three gold chevrons on a red background. (Gules, three
chevronel or.) The device is from the arms of the de Clare family descendants of
Gilbert de Clare, first Earl of Pembroke and his son Richard ‘Strongbow’. The
de Clares held land in Wales, Hertfordshire and Gloucestershire including the
Manor of Thornbury.

Fourth Quarter - A single red chevron on a gold background. (Or, a chevron
gules.) This is derived from the arms of the Stafford family as is the Stafford
Knot on the crest. Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham, was the builder
of Thornbury Castle.
The Motto ‘DECUS SABRINAE VALLIS’ alludes to Thornbury’s location and
reputation as ‘Jewel of the Severn Vale’.



Whilst every care has been taken in compiling this publication and the statements contained herein are believed to be correct, the publishers and promoters cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies. Reproduction of any part of this publication in any format, without permission, is strictly forbidden. Photographs Courtesy of Martin Holehouse.