Wyedean Stores Blog

The Blues and Royals Regiment

Susannah 04/03/2020 0

The Blues and Royals regiment is made up of the Royal Horse Guards (RHG) and the 1st Dragoons. They are a cavalry regiment in the British Army and, ...

75th Anniversary of VE Day

Susannah 30/01/2020 0

This year marks the 75th Anniversary of VE, or Victory in Europe Day. On 8th May 1945, Winston Churchill made an announcement on the radio at 3pm afte...

Mess Dress Uniform

Susannah 26/11/2019 0

Mess dress uniform is not to be confused with full dress uniform. Mess dress is the semi-formal uniform worn by the military, police and other public ...

The Life Guards Regiment

Susannah 30/10/2019 0

The Life Guards (LG), along with The Blues & Royals, are the most senior regiments in the British Army. Together they form the Household Cavalry Regim...

Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday 2019

Susannah 24/10/2019 0

Remembrance Sunday, will be held on Sunday 10th November. The National Service of remembrance will be held at the Cenotaph at Whitehall in London at ...

Operation Market Garden

Susannah 24/09/2019 0

This year, the 17th of September, marked the 75th anniversary of Operation Market Garden. This World War II mission was fought in the Netherlands from...

The Royal Logistic Corps

Susannah 22/08/2019 0

The Royal Logistic Corps (RLC) is not only the largest Corps in the British Army, it is also an incredibly diverse organisation. Its soldiers work on ...

Six Military Units you never knew existed.

Susannah 29/07/2019 0

Classic military units differ in their specialization and size from country to country. Here are some Military Units you probably didn’t know existed....

The Kings Royal Hussars

Susannah 16/07/2019 0

The King’s Royal Hussars are a regiment with cavalry traditions and an interesting history. The King’s Royal Hussars were established in 1992, however...

Military Sword Belt Ensembles

Susannah 09/07/2019 0

Sword belts in the military are worn around the waist, their purpose being to hold a ceremonial sword. There are various styles of belts available, so...

Military Colours

Susannah 01/07/2019 0

Military colours, standards or guidons are carried to act as a rallying point for troops and to mark the location of the commander. During the High Mi...

Armed Forces Day 2019

Susannah 25/06/2019 0

Every year Armed Forces day is celebrated to show support for the men and women who make up our Armed Forces community. This can include veterans, cad...

Wyedean’s bespoke commissions

Susannah 20/06/2019 0

Wyedean is known mostly for manufacturing accessories and accoutrements for the Armed Forces around the world. We are, occasionally asked to produce ...

Household Cavalry set to move from Windsor

Susannah 21/05/2019 0

The Household Cavalry Regiment, who are made up of the Blues and Royals Regiment and the Life Guards Regiment, have been based in Windsor for more tha...

Chelsea Pensioners share their D-Day memories

Susannah 14/05/2019 0

Commemorations to mark the 75th anniversary of the D-Day will go ahead in June. The Royal Hospital Chelsea is asking their residents who took part in ...

Combat Stress- Bring Them Home.

Susannah 30/04/2019 0

A new campaign has been released by the veterans’ mental health charity ‘Combat Stress’. The aim of the campaign is to reveal the isolation experience...

The Grenadier Guards

Susannah 25/04/2019 0

The Grenadier Guards have been active since 1656 and are one of the British Army’s most iconic and oldest regiments. The members of the Regiment are r...

The Royal Lancers

Susannah 08/04/2019 0

Queen Elizabeths’ own Royal Lancers are the armored cavalry regiment of 12 Armored Infantry Brigade. Their motto is ‘Death or Glory’ and their famou...

D-Day Anniversary

Susannah 25/03/2019 0

Each year, thousands of people, descend on Normandy in France to remember those who risked their lives in D-Day, Operation Overlord and the Battle of ...

Textile Waste Recycled and given to Local Schools.

Susannah 05/02/2019 0

Wyedean currently bags up its waste yarn, material off-cuts and cones, and rather than processing it through traditional waste disposal methods rece...

Wyedean at the Movies

Susannah 29/01/2019 0

While Wyedean primarily manufactures regalia and accoutrement for the military, armed and uniformed services, it also supplies to the film and televi...

Diver makes Great War Discovery and reunites family.

Susannah 10/01/2019 0

Roger Bennett, a police diver from the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Marine Unit, was searching for a murder weapon at the bottom of the River Loxley ...

Merry Christmas from all at Wyedean

Susannah 11/12/2018 0

Merry Christmas from all at Wyedean. This year, instead of sending Christmas cards the company made a donation to our nominated charity: Keighle...

Remembrance Day 2018

Susannah 30/10/2018 0

On Sunday the 11th of November 2018 at 11am the country will fall silent to remember those who fought for our country. This year Armistice Day and ...

1914-1919 Roll of Honour War Memorial

Rosie 25/10/2018 0

War memorial almost lost forever as wartime researchers struggle to find it a new home. The Roll of Honour was originally displayed at the Woodlands...

The order of precedence for the British Army

Susannah 16/10/2018 0

The divisions of the regular army of the British Army have an order of precedence which dictates the order in which these divisions parade, from right...

HMS Pickle

Rosie 04/10/2018 0

There have so far been eight ships named HMS Pickle in the Royal Navy. The most recent being an Algerine-class minesweeper which was launched in 194...

The Military Knights of Windsor

Susannah 27/09/2018 0

The Military Knights of Windsor were known informally as the Poor Knights. Originally known as the Alms Knights, they are retired officers who receive...

The Rifles

Susannah 13/09/2018 1

The Rifles is the largest British Army infantry regiment. There are a wide range of jobs in the regiment, which, unlike any other regiment in the infa...

Constable and Governor of Windsor Castle

Susannah 30/08/2018 0

The Constables and Governors of Windsor Castle take charge of Windsor Castle on behalf of the Sovereign. The Constable does not receive a salary but l...

How to wear your Medals

Susannah 21/08/2018 0

The British Armed Forces recognise outstanding personal achievements by giving individuals from the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and British Army va...

Mine Counter-Measure Vessels

Susannah 07/08/2018 0

During the 1990s the Royal Navy had two classes of off-shore patrol vessels: Island-class and Castle-class. In 1997, however, these were replaced by...

Military Funerals

Susannah 07/06/2018 0

A military funeral is a memorial given by the military for a serviceman who died in battle, a veteran or prominent military figures. A military funer...

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)

Susannah 22/05/2018 0

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is the Canadian national police service and an agency of the Ministry of Public Safety Canada. THE RCMP is un...

High Sheriffs

Rosie 16/04/2018 2

A High Sheriff is a ceremonial officer appointed to each county of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Office of High Sheriff is a non-political ...

The Royal Irish Regiment

09/04/2018 0

The Royal Irish Regiment is made up of two Battalions, one Regular and one Reserve. The regiment is the only one to be awarded the Conspicuous Gallant...

Military Chaplains

Katie 15/03/2018 0

A chaplain is a religious representative who is attached to a secular institution such as a prison, military unit or hospital. Originally, the world c...

Military White Parade Gloves

Susannah 30/01/2018 0

White cotton tri-service gloves are worn on ceremonial parades in the British Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy. They are worn for ceremonial event...

Dalton, Barton & Co Ltd.

Rosie 25/01/2018 0

Dalton Barton & Co was a textile manufacturing company founded near Coventry on the 16th of January 1852. The name Dalton and Barton corresponded wi...

Royal Gurkha Rifles

15/01/2018 0

The Royal Gurkha Rifles (RGR) forms part of the Brigade of Gurkhas in the British Army. They are a rifle regiment whose soldiers are recruited from Ne...

The Bradford Pals

Susannah 04/01/2018 0

The Bradford Pals were the 16th and 18th Battalions of the West Yorkshire Regiment. The Pals regiments were units of men who lived, worked and sociali...

Merry Christmas from the Wyedean team

19/12/2017 0

Merry Christmas from all of the team at Wyedean This year, instead of sending Christmas cards the company made a donation to our nominated char...

Queen to formally commission HMS Queen Elizabeth.

11/12/2017 0

The Queen has formally commissioned the aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth. She was joined by Princess Anne, First Sea Lord Admiral, Sir Philip Jon...

Royal Navy Sailors to perform Changing the Guard

Rosie 30/11/2017 0

Royal Navy sailors are to perform Changing the Guard, often also referred to as the Changing of the Guard, at Buckingham Palace for the first time in ...

The Royal Marines

Susannah 13/11/2017 0

The Royal Marines are the amphibious troops of the Royal Navy and one of the world’s most elite commando forces. They are held at a very high readin...

The Royal Artillery (RA)

Susannah 06/11/2017 0

The Royal Artillery (RA) provides firepower to the British Army and is more commonly known as the ‘Gunners’. Regular and reserve units make up the Ro...

The King's Troop 70th Anniversary Parade

17/10/2017 0

The King’s Troop 70th Anniversary Parade is due to take place on the 19th of October 2017 in Hyde Park, London. The event celebrates 70 years since th...

The Royal Regiment Of Scotland

Rosie 16/10/2017 0

The Royal Regiment of Scotland is the most senior and only Scottish line infantry regiment forming a core part of the British Army. The regiment c...

Sprang Weaving

12/10/2017 0

Sprang is an ancient method of constructing fabric that gives it an appearance similar to netting so that it has natural elasticity. Sprang, unlike ne...

The Royal Air Force Regiment

Susannah 05/10/2017 0

The Royal Air Force Regiment (RAF) is the ground fighting force for the Royal Air Force and provides a range of force protection. The Royal Air Force ...

Royal Fleet Auxiliary

28/09/2017 0

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) is a civilian manned unit delivering operational and logistical support worldwide for tasks undertaken by the Royal Na...

Foot Guards

Susannah 19/09/2017 0

The Foot Guards are the Regular Infantry regiments of the Household Division of the British Army. There are five active regiments of the Foot Guards a...

Duke of Wellington’s Regiment

14/09/2017 0

The Duke of Wellington’s Regiment was an infantry regiment in the King’s Division, formed in 1702 by Colonel George Hastings, 8th Earl of Huntingdon. ...

Yeomen Warders

Susannah 04/09/2017 1

Beefeaters, is the affectionate name given to what are more formally known as the Yeomen Warders of Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress the Tower ...

Royal Hospital Chelsea

29/08/2017 0

The Royal Hospital Chelsea is a nursing home and retirement facility for British Army veterans. The London-based Hospital is located on Royal Hospital...

Dalton Barton World War II Letter

Rosie 15/08/2017 0

The Wyedean Weaving Company established itself in Haworth in 1964 as a manufacturer of narrow fabrics, braid and uniform accoutrement. The business or...

Bespoke Wedding Cap Tallies

08/08/2017 0

A cap tally is a black nylon ribbon which is usually tied into a bow on the left-hand side of a Royal Navy sailor’s cap. The tally is black with a gol...

Cocked Hats

03/08/2017 0

A bicorne, or cocked hat, is a two-cornered cocked hat which was worn during the 18th and 19th centuries and was adopted from the European and America...

Royal Bermuda Regiment

20/07/2017 0

Formerly known as the Bermuda Regiment, the Royal Bermuda Regiment (RBR) is the home defence unit of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda. Origin...

David Wright Founder of Wyedean

Rosie 11/07/2017 0

Wyedean was formally founded on 7th April, 1964, by David Wright. Before starting his own business, David’s first job after leaving school was as an a...

The Invictus Games

10/07/2017 0

The Invictus Games are an international multi-sport event for Paralympic athletes. The first Invictus Games took place in 2014 in London. The event ...

HMS Queen Elizabeth is ready for Sea trials.

Susannah 27/06/2017 0

As Britain’s largest ever warship, it’s been an anxious and exciting wait for the launch of HMS Queen Elizabeth as it finally left its dockyard in Ro...

Ranks Of The Royal Air Force (RAF)

12/06/2017 4

The Royal Air Force (RAF) introduced officer ranks in 1919. Prior to this, Army ranks were used. Interestingly, many ranks within the Royal Air Force...

What is a Spur?

Susannah 08/06/2017 0

Spurs are usually worn in pairs on the heels of riding boots. Their purpose is to help direct the horse to move forward or laterally while riding. The...

Haworth 1940s Weekend 2017

24/05/2017 0

The annual Haworth 1940s weekend this year took place between Friday the 19th of May and Sunday the 21st of May. This famous annual event see...

The Rope Walk

16/05/2017 0

While in the modern industrial era rope is manufactured on a dedicated rope-making machine, traditionally it was made using what’s called a ropewalk. ...

Flag of the 45th Line

Susannah 24/04/2017 0

Ensign Charles Ewart was a Scottish soldier of the Royal North British Dragoons and is most famous for capturing the regimental eagle of the 45th Regi...

Lord Lieutenant

Rosie 19/04/2017 0

A Lord-Lieutenant is a personal representative for the British monarch in each county of the United Kingdom. They are appointed by The Queen on the ad...

HMS Ocean

11/04/2017 0

Did you watch the HMS Ocean documentary ‘Warship’ on Channel 4? The show captures Britain’s biggest warship as it sails to the Gulf to lead the US Na...

Military Parade

Rosie 29/03/2017 0

A military parade is an organised formation of soldiers who are restricted by close-order manoeuvring marching or ‘drilling’. Up until the late 19th c...

International Women’s Day and the Military.

08/03/2017 0

International Women’s Day started in 1910 when Clara Zetkin (a famous German advocate for Women’s rights) suggested the day become an international da...

The Royal Tank Regiment

08/03/2017 1

The Royal Tank Regiment or RTR is the oldest tank regiment in the world. The RTR was formed as early as 1916 during the Great War by the British Army....

Blue is the Colour

22/02/2017 0

The soldiers chosen to Troop the Colour, on June 17th at Horse Guards Parade, have this year been examined to check they are up to the job. The 1st Ba...

Medal Ribbon

15/02/2017 0

Medals, Military Orders and Decorations are given to members of the armed forces to recognise and celebrate their personal accomplishments. Medal bars...

Flying Scotsman on the Worth Valley Railway.

Susannah 07/02/2017 0

The Flying Scotsman was built in Doncaster for the London and North Eastern Railway (LNER) in 1923. It was designed by Sir Nigel Gresley and was to be...

International Defence Exhibition and conference (IDEX)

30/01/2017 0

The International Defence Exhibition and Conference, or IDEX as it’s more commonly known, is the most important tri-service defence exhibition in the ...

What is a Hackle/ Plume?

Susannah 18/01/2017 0

The plume/hackle is generally made from clipped chicken feathers and is worn on a military headdress purely for decorative or ornamental purposes. The...

United Kingdom Special Air Service (SAS)

Richard 09/01/2017 0

The Special Air Service (SAS) is the British Army’s most renowned United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF) unit. Its motto is ‘Who Dares Wins’ and has bec...

The Parachute Regiment

Rosie 04/01/2017 0

The Parachute Regiment, also known as “The Paras”, is an airborne regiment of the British Army that acts as support to the United Kingdom Special Forc...

Merry Christmas From All At Wyedean

Susannah 19/12/2016 0

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all at Wyedean. This year, instead of Christmas cards, we have made a donation to our local Keighley Air,...

Custom Design Cap Tally

13/12/2016 0

A Cap Tally is a black nylon ribbon which is usually tied into a bow on the left-hand side of a Royal Navy sailor’s cap. The tally is black with a gol...

How To Wear An Aiguillette

05/12/2016 0

An aiguillette is an ornamental braided cord, usually worn on a uniform to denote an honour. Although similar in some ways to a lanyard, the two shou...

Why Do Troops Salute

22/11/2016 0

Salutes are primarily used in the Armed Forces to show respect. There are numerous methods for performing the salute including: hand gestures, rifle ...

Why Do Military Regiments Have Bands?

Susannah 15/11/2016 0

Music is an important and influential part of military life and is seen as a strong source of morale. Musicians support the regiments at ceremonial ev...

Military Fashion

Katie 08/11/2016 1

You can see a strong military influence throughout the whole of the fashion industry. This season’s jackets have a strong 18th century British and Fre...

Remembrance Day 2016

02/11/2016 0

Britain will fall silent for two minutes to remember the end of the First World War on Friday the 11th of November. This tradition of holding a silenc...

The Household Cavalry

25/10/2016 0

The Household Cavalry (HCav) is made up of the Life Guards and the Blue and Royals - the most senior regiments of the British Army. These two regiment...

Women In The Air Force

Susannah 19/10/2016 2

During the First World War, members of the Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRNS) and the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) worked on air stations. The ...

Women's Royal Naval Service

Rosie 12/10/2016 0

The Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRNS) was the first branch in the Armed Forces and Royal Navy made up solely of women and is officially known as the ...

Is Facial Hair Allowed In The Military?

Susannah 04/10/2016 0

Ideas about whether facial hair is allowed in the military have differed throughout the years. In the mid-19th Century, facial hair was an unusual sig...

Women In The Military

26/09/2016 0

Women serving in the military has always been a controversial topic. As increasing numbers of countries begin to expand the role of women in their mi...

What is a Lanyard used for?

24/08/2016 1

A lanyard is also referred to a fourragère – and is a braided cord with a sharp spike at one end. The fourragère is a very old component of some milit...

What's the Best Looking Military Uniform?

Rosie 17/08/2016 0

The Hussars The uniform of the Napoleonic Hussars included the pelisse: a short fur-edged jacket which was often worn slung over one shoulder in the ...

When Is A Waist Sash Worn?

Susannah 10/08/2016 0

A sash is usually a large and colourful ribbon or band of material that is worn around the body. Sashes either drape from one shoulder to the opposing...

What Is The Purpose Of A Sword Knot?

20/07/2016 0

The sword knot began existence as a simple cord attached to the hilt of the sword of a mounted soldier. The knot is in fact, a loop usually...

HMS Prince of Wales

13/07/2016 0

HMS Prince of Wales is the second ship to be constructed under the Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier classification after HMS Queen Elizabeth. The plan...

Armed Forces Day 2016

Susannah 22/06/2016 0

This year, Armed Forces Day, formerly Veterans’ Day, will be celebrated across the UK on Saturday 25th of June. It is a chance for everyone to show th...

HMS Queen Elizabeth

Rosie 15/06/2016 0

HMS Queen Elizabeth is the lead ship of the Queen Elizabeth-class of aircraft carrier, with HMS Prince of Wales following closely behind in 2017. A ...

Which Narrow Fabric Will Suit My Needs?

08/06/2016 0

Wyedean has manufactured narrow fabrics for over 150 years. Although its product range has grown vastly, narrow fabrics remain one of its core pr...

Haworth 1940s Weekend

Susannah 17/05/2016 0

Haworth 1940s weekend is an annual celebration and continues to grow, attracting an increasing number of visitors. This famous local event proudly ra...