- The Governor General of Canada
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The Waterdown-East Flamborough Heritage Society
Waterdown, Ontario
Grant of Arms, Supporters, Flag and Badge
April 15, 2011
Vol. VI, p. 43
Click on each image to enlarge. The blazon and symbolism for each element will accompany the enlarged image.
Blazon
Arms
Argent a white pine tree Vert between four piles wavy issuant from the flanks conjoined in pairs in chief Azure, on a chief indented of one point Vert two coronets erablé Or;
Crest
The Webster’s Falls cobblestone bridge proper;
Supporters
Dexter a horse sinister a great blue heron proper, each gorged with a collar Azure pendent therefrom a plate charged with an arrowhead Azure and standing on a rocky mount set with three red trillium flowers (Trillium erectum) and issuant from a bed of eastern greenviolets (Hybanthus concolor) proper;
Motto
UNITED WE THRIVE;
Flag
Argent a cross wavy Azure cotised wavy, in dexter chief a white pine tree Vert;
Badge
A white pine tree Vert enfiling a coronet erablé Or;
Symbolism
Arms
The indented line of the chief recalls the dormer of an Ontario Cottage, which figures in the logo of the Waterdown-East Flamborough Heritage Society. The shape also represents a plough moving through green grass, a reference to the early pioneers of the area. The green chief represents the agricultural heritage of the community, as well as its many natural areas, especially the Beverly Swamp. The coronets honour the history of service to the Canadian Crown by residents of Flamborough. The tree appeared on the emblems of a number of predecessor municipalities of the Town of Flamborough, and represents the natural environment. The four wavy piles represent the many creeks and waterfalls that flow through the community of Flamborough on their descent to Lake Ontario and the Grand River. By their number and convergence, they also represent the municipalities of East Flamborough, West Flamborough, Waterdown, and Beverly that were amalgamated in 1974 into the Town of Flamborough.
Crest
The Webster’s Falls Bridge, constructed in 1938, is a beloved local landmark.
Supporters
The horse symbolizes the early pioneers of the Flamborough area and the continuing importance of agriculture and horse racing to the local economy. The great blue heron is a common sight in the marshes and waterways of the community. The arrowhead medallions recall the Indigenous people of the Neutral or Attawandaron nation who were the first inhabitants of the region. The eastern green violet represents the Beverly Swamp, home to a provincially-significant concentration of this rare flower. The trillium is the provincial flower of Ontario, and the red variety is found in abundance in the Flamborough area. The number of trilliums represents three communities – Dundas, Aldershot and Clyde – that once belonged to the community of Flamborough but have since been annexed to surrounding communities.
Motto
The motto was based on suggestions from Flamborough school children and expresses the optimism and strong community spirit that typify the people of Flamborough.
Flag
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Badge
The symbolism of this emblem is found in other element(s) of this record.
Background
Canada Gazette Information
The announcement of the Letters Patent was made on November 12, 2011, in Volume 145, page 3515 of the Canada Gazette.
Artist Information
Creator(s)
Original concept of Forrest Pass, Saguenay Herald, and the Waterdown-East Flamborough Heritage Society Coat of Arms Committee, assisted by the heralds of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
Painter
Debra MacGarvie
Calligrapher
Shirley Mangione
Recipient Information
Civil Institution
Non-Profit Organization