County arms on chain of office

Recently there have been letters concerning the Shropshire coat of arms, so I now supply some facts. In 1896 Salop County Council applied for, and was granted, a coat of arms.

The council was only the second to obtain such a grant, which was greatly due to the energy and generosity of Captain Sir Offley Wakeman, Bart, CBE, a county councillor and chairman of the Quarter Sessions.

The chain of office worn by the chairman of the council supports a badge bearing the county arms.

The reverse of the badge is stamped "D & W" and on the side "Designed by CJ Shiner MSIA" and is inscribed: "Presented to Salop County Council by the vice-chairman, County Alderman T C Ward February 1950".

The badge, worked in 9ct and 18ct gold, displays the arms of the county council and the wording "Floreat Salopia".

It is embellished with wheat ears and oak leaves symbolic of the farms and woodlands of Shropshire; over all is a mural crown.

The badge is on a ceremonial chain, which has a panel at its head bearing the inscription: "Presented to Shropshire County Council by Telford Development Corporation June 5, 1991".

The chain has alternate links featuring the county loggerheads and panels inscribed with the names and dates of service of previous chairmen.

The first was elected in 1889.

The two longest holders of the office were Sir John Bowen-Jones, Bart, for 25 years from 1895 to 1920, and Captain Sir Offley Wakeman for 20 years between 1943 to 1963.

I had the privilege of being the 20th chairman of the county council, a position that I held for four years.

Major Adrian Coles MBE, Ludlow