Beckenham Decorative & Fine Arts Society
BECKENHAM’S CREST
Beckenham was granted Arms and Crest on 17 December 1931 and the Supporters on e 9 September 1935. The borough was incorporated into Bromley in 1965.
ARMS Vert two Bars wavy Argent between as many Chestnut Trees in full blossom and eradicated proper in chief and a Horse forcene of the second in base.
CREST On a Wreath of the Colours a semi Lion guardant or supporting a Pastoral Staff Argent enfiled with a Mitre proper.
SUPPORTERS On the dexter side a Gentleman and on the sinister side a Lady both in the costume of the early sixteenth century.
MOTTO Non Nobis Solum - Not for ourselves alone.
The green background suggest that Beckenham of old was a township in a rural setting and modern Beckenham, with its parks and open spaces, to which the trees also refer. The wavy line represents the River Beck, echoing the name of the town, and the horse is from the arms of the County Council. The lion is derived from the heraldry of the Cator family, owners of large estates for many generations. The staff and mitre stand for Bishop Odo, of Bayeux, who received the land and manors of Beckenham from his half-brother, William the Conqueror. The supporters recall Tudor days, when at Wickham Court, we are told, Henry VIII wooed and won Anne Boleyn.