WISBECH Rural District Council celebrated its diamond jubilee in January 1955 and had a new coat of arms to mark the historic occasion. The coat of arms was presented at a banquet at the Rose and Crown Hotel. Chairman, Councillor A H Humphrey JP, said the

WISBECH Rural District Council celebrated its diamond jubilee in January 1955 and had a new coat of arms to mark the historic occasion.

The coat of arms was presented at a banquet at the Rose and Crown Hotel.

Chairman, Councillor A H Humphrey JP, said the plain, down-to-earth things that rural district councils stood for were sanitation, health, housing and a host of others.

He said the celebration was also to mark the loyalty of councillors throughout the years who had served the people of the area to the best of their abilities.

The agricultural nature of the area was reflected in the coat of arms. The motto at the bottom was taken from the Book of Jeremiah, "For we have treasures in the field".

The wavy bars in green across the shield represented the rich fenland and the waterways. The horn of plenty, overflowing with fruit and cereals, was to represent the fertility of the land and the chief activities of the area.

Our picture, right, shows Alderman Arthur Rickwood handing over the council's Grant of Arms to Councillor Humphrey. They are watched by the Mayor of Wisbech, Councillor A Gay.