Welcome to the West Devon Borough Council website.

The crest depicts a Dartmoor pony with an oak branch supported by the foreleg, the branch representing the woods of the area.

The helmet is a link with the noble families (such as the Russells and the Dukes of Bedford) who were most generous benefactors to the area.

The arms contain, on the left hand side, Tavistock's traditional red with a golden fleece and are emblematical of the woollen trade, which contributed largely to the prosperity of the area during the 15th and 16th centuries.  On the right hand side of the shield is depicted the castle of Okehampton and the shield is also indicative of the broad areas of agriculture, whilst the two halves are connected by the three main rivers which run through West Devon.

The motto is one, which was used by the old Tavistock Grammar School and has been freely translated as “Manliness grows out of adversity”.