Ross Town Council will soon once again be legally entitled to use the Coat of Arms which can be seen on many items, including the Mayor’s chains, despite one Councillor referring to the payment system as a ‘medieval protection racket’.

It was agreed at the meeting of Ross Town Council on Monday, February 8th, to spend £3,150 on a Royal Licence to transfer use of the Ross-on-Wye Coat of Arms to the Town Council.

The Coat of Arms has been, or is currently in use on the Mayor’s Chain, the Mayoress’s Chain, past Mayor’s Medals, the Council letterhead, signs on the approach roads, the cemetery deeds, the entrance to the Corn Exchange and the name boards in the Chamber.

About two years ago it was decided to discontinue using it as the then Town Council had not paid for the licence. It is seen as disrepectful to the Queen to use Arms to which there is no entitlement.

Without the transfer taking place the Council might have thought it necessary to consider replacing items of regalia which would be more costly than the expense of the Licence.

The Coat of Arms was awarded by the College of Arms to the Ross Urban District Council (UDC) in 1953. In 1974, the UDC ceased to exist and the South Herefordshire District and Ross-on-Wye Town Councils were formed. Assets were divided between the two. The Coat of Arms was adopted by the Town Council but the process of requesting a transfer by way of a Royal Licence was never completed.

At the Town Council meeting on February 8th, Councillor Jane Roberts said she was very proud of the fact that during the last council she had voted not to pay for the use of the Coat of Arms. She said: “I see this as nothing more than a medieval protection racket.”

Councillor Phil Cutter said it was vitally important. He moved to approve the vote. Cllrs Daniel Lister, Jane Roberts, Chris Bartrum and Caroline Utting voted against it and Councillor Harry Bramer abstained.