DISTRICT COAT OF ARMS

Updated 08 March 2009

Blyth Valley Scout District was formed in 2000 by the amalgamation of Blyth, most of Seaton Valley and part of Whitley Bay districts.  The new District received permission from Blyth Valley Borough Council to use its coat of arms as our badge.  The meaning of the arms is :

At the top of the coat of arms a lion stands with a miners' lamp in the right paw. The lion symbolises strength and the lamp together with the black seam running through the lion symbolising coal mining - a once thriving industry in the area.

On the top of the shield the three crowns are from the Tynemouth Priory Arms. Owing to the great importance of the Delaval family in the area, these Arms, formerly belonging to the Delavals are incorporated.

In the second part of the shield the three spots of ermine are taken directly from the Delaval Coat of Arms. It is interesting to note that the Delavals were largely responsible for the development of coal-mining in the area, which ultimately developed the port and led to increased prosperity.

At the bottom of the shield the three ships represent the importance of the Port of Blyth, while the motto at the base is taken from the original Borough of Blyth motto.

Each emblem on the shield is displayed in triplicate to commemorate the three former authorities which merged into Blyth Valley in 1974, namely: Borough of Blyth, Seaton Valley Urban District Council and part of Whitley Bay Borough Council.

Blyth Valley Borough Council was formed in 1974 from Blyth Borough Council and Seaton Valley Urban District Council.  After 35 years of serving the south east Northumberland area, it ceased to exist in 2009 when its functions were taken over by the new Northumberland County Council.