Long wait for University coat of arms set to end
11 February 2009
The main building at Glyndŵr University is finally set to be emblazed with a coat of arms – more than 50 years after space for one was first made.
An article on the University’s historic Wrexham building, published in Architects Monthly in January 1954, revealed that designers purposely left space above the main doors, next to the institution’s name, for the installation of a coat of arms.
But the plan never came to fruition, and when in 1974 historic Denbighshire county ceased to exist - leading to the formation of NEWI in place of Denbighshire Technical College and Cartrefle Teacher Training College in 1975 - the idea seemed to have been lost for ever.
Now a new coat of arms has been designed for Glyndŵr University, which was announced as a new University by the First Minister, Rhodri Morgan, during a ceremony held in July 2008.
The arms will be mounted on the front of the main building at the Plas Coch site in Wrexham, as part of planned celebrations for the ceremonial Inauguration of the University and Installation of the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor on Saturday 28 February.
Professor Michael Scott, Vice-Chancellor of Glyndŵr University, said: “We are delighted that we’ll at last have a coat of arms which everyone associated with the University can be proud of. It’s been a long road towards securing university status and the awarding of a coat of arms shows just what we’ve achieved and how far the institution has come over the years.”
At the heart of the University’s coat of arms are the four red and gold lions used in the coat of arms of Owain Glyndŵr, after whom the University is named. The lions are supported by books representing learning and the arms themselves are supported by a lion and a dragon.
Accompanying the arms is the University motto Hyder trwy Addysg (Confidence through Education). The coat of arms was designed by David White, the current Somerset Herald, an officer of arms at the College of Arms in London, the central repository and authority of arms in the UK.
It will be presented to the University at the Inauguration by the Somerset Herald, who will be attending in full court dress. Aside from appearing on the main building, the coat of arms will be used on official reports and documents.
Professor Scott added: “We are very grateful to the Somerset Herald for his work in ensuring we now have a coat of arms that we can all take great pride in. I am also most grateful to everyone who has been involved in making the creation of the University such a success – success which we’ll be celebrating throughout 2009.”
The Inauguration event marks the official launch of Glyndŵr University. It is the first in a series of events being held as part of a Year of Celebration for the new University.
The academic procession taking place on the day of the event, Saturday 28 February, will cause a brief interruption to the flow of traffic at the junction of Mold Road where Grosvenor Road, Bradley Road and Regent Street meet. This will be from 11.20am-11.30am and then again from 1.15pm-1.30pm. Traffic will flow as normal outside of these times.
