As PPRuNer 'Tallsar' states, the Sea King with the 'flag' on the nose is in fact wearing the shield of the City of Durham.
Here is some history behind the meaning of the shield and its colours:
THE CITY OF DURHAM COAT OF ARMS
The ancient arms of the City of Durham were recorded in 1615. The white cross on a black shield stands for St. Augustine, founder of the Church of England. On this placed a red cross to represent the link between Durham and the Church. The red cross is also said to represent St. Oswald, first Christian King of Northumbria.
When the new, larger, city was formed in 1974, Garter King of Arms added a crest and supporters for the larger area. The crest has the distinctive mitre within a ducal coronet of the Bishop of Durham. This is lifted by two arms, representing the people of the city, uoholding all that is good in the city.
The supporters are two gold lions, ducally crowned. They are the symbol of St. Oswald. The miner's lamps, are for the traditional coal-mining of the area.
The motto "Faith, Foresight and Industry" was used for many years by Durham Rural District Council.
(With thanks to Laurence Jones for this information).
THE CITY OF DURHAM SHIELD
Earl
Last edited by Earl of Rochester; 9th Nov 2010 at 04:24.