History of the Town Councils Chain of Office

The Council visted Group Captain H Hicks at the R.A.F Station, St Athan with the view to increasing the liason betwwen the Council and the Royal Air Force. Group Captain Hicks had expressed sincerely that it was the wish of the unti to participate in the affairs of the Town.

The Chairman was asked to make a formal request fromt the Council stating that the Town Council would be pleased if the Royal Air Force at St Athan would participate in the provision of a new Chain of Office for the Mayor, A letter was then recieved by Group Captain Hicks requesting a further visit by the mayor and Cllr W L powell to discuss the posible provision of medallion and /or Chain. From this meeting it was recommened that the basic design remain the same as the present Medallion but the size increased to one and half times the present size with the necessary alteration to lettering to include Town and Mayor, the question of a motto was discussed and advise was to be sought form the Vicar, Revd J D Llewelly-Jones on his return form hospital.

It was further recommended that inquires be made for a jewel to be worn by the Mayoress. it was then proposed by Cllr Pearce, seconded by Cllr Powell that the provision of a medallion and jewel be investigated with the manufactures Messrs Thomas Fattorini Ltd. A quotation was presented for the Mayors Chain of Office. A thirty link silver gilt chain, hall marked, would cost £155 net and in a apecial presentation Box £17 extra, the quotation was accepted, the moto for the Council and badge was again discussed and after three or four suggestions it was resolved the Town Council incorporate 'En toute loyale' (Loyal in everthing) into the present Court of Arms, it was also dicussed of incorporating an emblem to indicate the close relationship of the Town Council with the RAF Station and subject to the mutual agreement of the RAF Commanding Officer that the RAF wings be superimposed on the upper arm of the cross, on the 5 august 1974 a letter was recieved form the manufactures advising thatan error had been made in the original quotations, and the correct being £134 for a 40'' Chain, at this point the clerk asked weather the council wished a longer Chain. Cllr Pearce proposed, seconded by Cllr Evans that the original order remain at the ammended cost, it was announced that on 20th August a firm order (subject to quotation) for the pendant was made. The Clerk had been informed thatit was receiving the attention of the design department who at presenttime were heavily committed, and the Council would receive a qoute in the next few weeks. In November a new qoute had been recieved (new design) Still with the Wings and motto at a cost of £218.15 + Vat.

The new pendant and Chain of the Mayors Badge of office arrived in March 1975 at a total cost of £401 gross and £336 net and that the Council in accordance with its powers under section 137 of the Local Goverment Act 1972 should incur the following expenditure which in the opinion of the council is in the intrests of the area and its inhabitants.

So on Wednesday 26th March 1975 at 7.30pm a Untiry Service was held at St. Illtyds Church, during which the Mayors Chain of Office would be dedicated, seats were reserved for the contingent form the RAF. After the service the Air commodore of the RAF Station together with Parish and Town Councillors proceded to the Town Hall where the Air commodore presented a plaque to the previous Parish Council, who was represented by Mr L G Grey commemorating the conclusion of Parish Councils on 31st March 1974.

presentation of plaque

The plaque which now hangs in the Council Chamber bears the names of the eleven Parish Councillors.