To the Editor of the Cuthbertian. 

Sir, I noticed a few weeks ago that the Lions on all our school crests are not consistent. Let me explain. The lions on the big school shield which hangs in the Dining Hall are gold, while those on the badges such as worn on the school football and cricket blazers, etc. are silver. I did not know which was correct. The Reverend F.A. Hibbert, late Headmaster of Denstone College, and sometime Headmaster of St Cuthbert's, became aware that I was wondering about this, and very kindly sent me the following letter:

I am told you are interested in the Worksop arms. The following is what I know about them:

When I went there, I found them using the arms of Durham School I think that is so, viz. blue shield-gold cross fleury-silver lions. It was quite unauthenticated and had been adopted, I suppose, casually, just as Denstone at the beginning took after the Arms of Lichfield Diocese (a foolish thing to do).

It at once occurred to me that one could easily differentiate from the arms of Durham School by making the lions golden-which I promptly proceeded to do. Of course I had no authority to do so-but neither had the original people to do what they did!

The Arms are not registered at the Heralds College. It is an expensive business to get a grant of arms.

At the beginning, I don't know whether it would not have been as well to make a shield especially for the School. It might have been St Cuthbert's Cross from his pectoral cross, but now that the School has been going so long it would be a pity to change. But I do think it would be advisable to keep the gold lions so as to distinguish from Durham School.

Very truly yours – F.A. Hibbert