Various groups have operated over the years in the Godalming area with a remit to represent the interests of local businesses and encourage participation to benefit the community as a whole.

The crest adorned on the President’s Badge that is displayed at all official Chamber events provides a link to the traditions of local businesses and the history of the area.

Central to the design, which is believed to have been created at the turn of the 19th century, is the woolpack representing local commerce.

The manufacture of woollen cloth dominated Godalming’s industry from mediaeval times and such was the prominence of local trade in wool and cloth that Elizabeth I granted the town borough status in 1575. The Arms of Godalming granted in 1892 incorporated the woolsack to indicate our importance as a cloth town.

The blue in the crest represents a plant which was grown locally called Woad.  This was used to dye the local wool blue.