Somerset Badges

Did you know we have a great collection of badges available from our County Badge Secretary, some of which are unique to Somerset?

The Somerset county standard was designed, made and dedicated in 1953.

Every element is steeped with symbolism from our guiding history. Here’s the story:

“At the hoist is the World Flag, the two stars symbolise our Promise and our Law. The vein, or compass needle is set to give us our true course in Guiding. The base of the stalk is a copy of the heraldic ‘Feu’, and represents the flame of the love of mankind. The golden trefoil represents the sun shining in the blue sky, which is over all the Guides and Girl Scouts of the World.

Next comes the Arms of our County. The Red Griffin holding erect the mace as a sign of authority, which is blue to show nobility. Alfred the Great rallied his forces at Athelney under the Dragon Standard. “Sumersaete Ealle’ – ‘All the Somerset men’, was an appeal sent out for all Somerset men to come to the aid of Alfred against the Danes in 873 A.D. 

Then appears a pile of ancient masonry, to remind us of our ancient castles, and churches, whose beautiful towers have justly made our county famous. 

The Motto, the initials of which remind us of our Founder, and our Chief Guide.

Here the fly is divided lengthways – blue above, the symbol of the sky, and white below – the snow covered ground at Christmas time. On this is placed the Glastonbury Thorn in full bloom. Legend tells us that Joseph of Arimathea was sent by Saint Philip to carry the Gospel to Britain. On a Christmas morning he reached the Isle of Avalon. Wearily he stuck his staff into the ground, and lo, it sprouted, and blossomed. He accepted this as a sign that his wanderings were over and he built a little Church of wattle by the thorn. A descendant of that thorn still lives today within the precincts of the Abbey ruins. It still blossoms twice a year, at Christmas time and in May when all other thorns bloom. A spray of the flowering bush is sent to the reigning Monarch at Christmastide.

Lastly, because it was the year of the Coronation of our Queen, the College of Heralds have allowed us to incorporate the Orb into our Standard. It is one of the oldest insignia of Sovereignty, and was used originally by the Romans. The Orb symbolises the dominion of the Cross over the World. The cloth of gold from which the Orb on our Standard is made is of the same material used for the Canopy in The Anointing during the Coronation Ceremony in Westminster Abbey.

Let all of us who follow our Standard, do our best to live up to the ideals for which it stands.”

The badge, based on the County Standard, was commissioned by our County President, Margaret Maltby, in the 1990s, when she was County Commissioner.

The story of the County Standard is of particular interest as we celebrated the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.

Margaret Maltby, County President

An excerpt from the County of Somerset Annual Report in 1953 provides further insight into the County Standard’s history:

September 26th was a memorable day in the history of Somerset Guiding, when 2,000 Guiders and Guides paraded on the green outside Wells Cathedral. A very impressive service to dedicate the new County Standard was held in the Cathedral. We were very delighted to have Lady Burnham, Chief Commissioner for England, with us as our guest of honour. From Wells we journeyed to Glastonbury, where we climbed The Tor, and there Miss Chater, Music Adviser for England, conducted the camp fire singing of these 2,000 Guides.

Lady Burnham spoke to us and then presented Mrs. Ralph with a ‘Thanks Badge’ in recognition of all her help with the design and work of the Standard.

The cloth Somerset County Standard is available for £2 (plus P&P).

A Metal County Standard is presented as one of the county’s awards.

How to order county badges

Contact Alison at badges@girlguidingsomerset.org.uk to find out more about badges available through county. Place your order at girlguidingsomerset.org.uk/badges.