Flying high

Wellington flag honours village heritage

On Sunday Wellington will raise two flags—one to honour country, the other to honour the village. The Wellington flag is a new creation inspired by the village’s coat of arms developed in 1992 by Robert Watt, the former Chief Herald of Canada.

Watt grew up in the County and his family line descends from a common ancestor of the Greer family of Wellington and Hillier.

As David Simmonds wrote in his column in these pages on March 14, Watt was “quite sympathetic to the idea of creating a design with loyalist and Wellington connections.”

Watt personally helped develop the coat of arms and came up with the motto “Haven by the Shore.”

Watt says the two red lions signify the supporters of the Duke of Wellington, for whom the village is named. The fish tail is meant to recognize the village’s connection to commercial and recreational fishing. The horse represents prosperity brought to the community by horsepower. The cornucopia features tomatoes and pea vines, historically significant crops in this community.

Watt notes that upon amalgamation the heraldic emblems of the village reverted to the Crown. But he assured the local business association he believes it is appropriate for such emblems to continue to be used to celebrate the heritage of the past municipality as long as Shire Hall has no objection.

For much of the winter the Wellington District Business Association worked with municipal officials to get this approval.

In a special ceremony on Canada Day the Wellington flag will be raised, kicking off a yearlong run-up to the village’s sesquicentennial celebration.

Wellington flags are available for purchase at SideStreet Gallery.