COUNCILLORS have agreed that Gourock’s controversial coat of arms should be removed from display where practical.
The coat of arms includes a figure widely considered to be that of an enslaved man.
Councillors agreed that officials should now look into the practical issues arising from the decision and report back.
The coat of arms features at several Gourock buildings and on a stained glass window at the Watt Institute in Greenock.
Gourock Community Council use the coat of arms, and it is on the badge of the Gourock Athletic amateur football team.
The coat of arms was adopted in 1954 and was based on the burgh seal which dated from the 19th century. Gourock Burgh became part of the new Inverclyde District Council in 1975.
Watch the council debate on Youtube (at 55mins 15secs)
Full details in previous article
Other proposals from the report that were agreed include:
— A heritage trail across Inverclyde highlighting key aspects linked to the slave trade.
— Further research on Inverclyde’s historical links to slavery to be carried out.
— Proposed new plaque dedicated to the many abolitionists who spoke in Greenock
— Celebration of Black History Month
— New interpretation around James Watt and family’s links to slavery be included within the Watt Institution.
— Online information available about Inverclyde’s links to the slavery to be improved.
