Armorial Bearings – the Town Crest

The Crest or Coat of Arms was bestowed to the East Grinstead Town Council following Local Government reorganisation in 1974 (having formerly been the crest of the Urban District Council).

The use of the Coat of Arms (in full or part) can be approved by the Town Council, however this is not readily given and any request must be made, stating the case for the use, to the Town Council to consider. Use of the Coat of Arms in full or part without permission is prohibited*.

Have you ever wondered what the symbols on the town crest represent?

Designed in 1954 to mark the diamond jubilee of the Urban District Council a number of symbols were used to represent the town’s history.

The hammer is a reference to the iron industry which was once the source of prosperity for this area.

The sword is a representation of the assizes (trials) held in the town until the end of the 17th Century.

The tree and crown is for the town’s connection to the Ashdown Forest, once a royal hunting ground and the related woodworking industries that once existed.

The white line is for the Greenwich Meridian which runs through our town.

The rising sun is for the East in East Grinstead and the green shield represents Grenestede or Green Place which became Grinstead.

The latin inscription at the bottom is translated as ‘Amid green meadows I proudly stand’

*Manchester CC v Manchester Palace of Varieties Ltd (1955)