My Shrieval Badge and Chain

​The Sheriff’s authority is represented by the three stranded chain and the City’s coat of arms. The jewel, or badge, is a frolic allowed to the Sheriff to express their own coat of arms, interests and supporters. A chance to shimmer as a Sheriff.
I chose to have the collar and jewel designed by Dave Harper of W.H.Darby, working in consultation with Wynyard Wilkinson of the Company of Arts Scholars.  The actual fabrication of the jewel was carried out by Martyn Wykes and his British-trained team. 
My coat of arms is engulfed by mobius strips that speak to my activity and energy and show the paradox that abounds in life, needing us to look at things in different ways.
The prominent shields are of my Livery Companies - the Glovers, Plaisterers, Solicitors and Chartered Surveyors. My position as an honorary Upholder is marked by the eider duck that also notes my interest in birds. The flame represents both my position as honorary Fueller and Methodism in linking to the Aldersgate Flame of John Wesley, commemorated in the bronze flame outside the Museum of London where I am both a trustee of the Flame and of the Museum. Methodism still burns in my heart.  As an Honorary Constructor, six links are golden bricks referencing the construction business and my professional life as a City commercial real estate lawyer.
The shields of the Vintry and Dowgate Wards Club alongside the City Livery Club and The Royal Society of St George are organisations where I have undertaken the leading role and promoted the City to a wider audience.
Durham University and Van Mildert College are essential to my backstory and the Palatinate Purple background underpins the central jewel. My motto Sic Vos Non Vobis is my College motto taken from  Virgil and translates as “Not for (Y)ourselves”, indicating my wish to serve selflessly but alongside others (not alone).  
Between the jewel and the chain is London Bridge – an enduring symbol of the City representing the philanthropy that flowed from Londoners towards the bridge and still emanates today from the City Bridge Trust where I served as Chair.
The coat of arms was designed by William Hunt working with John Petrie, Windsor Herald. As an unmarried woman my coat of arms must be displayed on a lozenge; neither shield nor crest is allowed,  being martial devices. The formal description of the coat of arms is:
Per fess Argent and Sable on a Pale engrailed counterchanged in chief two Billets palewise in pale Or between two St Cuthbert’s Crosses Purpure and in base a Sword erect Gules between four Billets palewise in pale Or.

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