Awdry Bailey & Douglas blogger

‘ROYAL’ WOOTTON BASSETT

“We honour those who serve”

(Royal Wootton Bassett motto).

Wootton Bassett Town is known as, and will always be remembered for, being a stronghold for community and support during the countless repatriation ceremonies that have taken place since 2007.  In recognition of this the Town has been granted the title ‘Royal’. The official unveiling of the new Royal Wootton Bassett road sign by Mayor Paul Heaphy, and Jane Scott, Leader of Wiltshire County Council, took place last week.

“This Community has come together in the most extraordinary way”(The Princess Royal).

Thousands of people turned out to line the town's High Street for the remaining ceremony which took place on Sunday 16th October 2011 whereby The Princess Royal presented the Letters Patent on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen.  The Town being granted the title ‘Royal’ is a rare honour which was last bestowed on Tunbridge Wells, Kent in 1909.

The Prime Minister David Cameron also attended. He stood beside new Defence Secretary Philip Hammond as they witnessed the march-past by units representing the 3 services.  The march-past was led by the band of  the Royal Marines playing a piece of music entitled ‘Wootton Bassett’ as they took just 350 steps to the Viewing Stand in representation of the number of bodies driven along the very same route.  The piece of music was written by Captain Pete Curtis – a Royal Marines director of music.

There were also flypasts by a C130 Hercules, a giant RAF C-17 Globemaster aircraft, and a Vulcan Bomber – all planes which were important to nearby RAF Lyneham and Royal Wootton Bassets past.

COAT OF ARMS

ABD RECEIVES A PLAQUETTE IN RECOGNITION OF THE NEW COAT OF ARMS!

Also in commemoration of this change, approximately 14 local firms including ABD made a contribution towards the new Coat of Arms which has now been replaced with a gold lion at the bottom of the shield instead of a diamond. This will shortly be on show in Royal Wootton Bassett Town for the public to see.

To thank ABD and the other firms for their contributions, a presentation took place at Marsh Farm Hotel, Wootton Bassett on Friday 14th October 2011. All were invited to attend and each firm received a plaquette.  Dr Clive Cheesman, from The College of Arms, London, did a brief talk about the Coat of Arms, its historical facts, and its new design.

ABD Partner Peter Shah accompanied by Solicitor Alex David attended and was presented by Mayor Paul Heaphy with a Coat of Arms plaquette which will be placed in ABD’s Wootton Bassett Office Reception for the public to see!

ABD Partner Peter Shah (centre) receiving the new Royal Wootton Bassett Coat of Arms Plaquette from Mayor Paul Heaphy (left) with Dr Clive Cheeseman (right).