Haworth’s Wyedean makes regimental history in New Zealand
A Haworth manufacturer has made history by creating ceremonial flags bearing the King’s new insignia for the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment.
Wyedean Weaving’s team of expert embroiderers spent 900 hours working on the new Regimental and King’s Colours for the 2nd/1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment. Both ceremonial flags were consecrated and presented on behalf of King Charles during a ceremony this month which was attended by the Governor General of New Zealand, Government officials and military commanders in chief.
Wyedean’s Business Development Director Rosie Wright said: “As a family business it has been an immense privilege to play our part in such a historic moment for the New Zealand Defence Force. The last time a King’s Colour was presented to a New Zealand army battalion was before the Second World War, so it was an honour for Wyedean to be trusted with the responsibility of creating the new Colour bearing King Charles’ Tudor Crown insignia, as well as the new Regimental Colour which is emblazoned with the regiment’s battle honours.”
The consecration took place at Burnham Military Camp, the largest army base in New Zealand’s South Island, just three weeks after members of the battalion travelled to the National Army Museum in London to collect the Colours from the Wyedean team.
Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Sam Smith of the 2nd/1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, said: “It was an incredible privilege and honour to receive the Colours from the amazing team at Wyedean. The level of detail and intricate craftsmanship on the Colours truly make them works of art and they now have a special place within our Battalion’s history.”
He added: “To see them presented in front of our battalion and the nation by the Governor General of New Zealand was incredible and they will be flown proudly for many years. Wyedean and the New Zealand Army are now intricately linked through our shared history.”
The two new Colours were hand stitched by Wyedean embroiderers Aileen Henderson, Wendy Hatton and Susan Jones and are the first in New Zealand to be updated with the King’s insignia. It is a process which can only begin after the designs have been submitted to The King for approval.
“We start production once we receive the King’s approval and following the recent change in the monarchy, new patterns have been required to incorporate the King’s crown,” explained Aileen.
“During our 900 hours of embroidery, we used three metres of pure silk cloth, 75 grams of gold thread and 150g of pure silk embroidery thread. The highlight was working with the distinctly different design, particularly the vibrant colours set against the dark blue silk background, which added unique visual appeal.”
Wyedean was founded as a manufacturer of braid and military uniform accoutrement in Haworth in 1964 by David Wright who ran the business with his father Frank Wright, a former textile machine designer who was awarded an MBE in recognition of his invention of a new yarn spinning technique called centrifugal spinning.
Last year, Wyedean secured the seven-year, £5million contract to replace British Armed Forces’ Colours and Standards with the new King’s insignia and the Tudor Crown, further cementing the business as a key player in the supply of ceremonial accoutrements for the British military and expanding its market influence by securing new international contracts and enhancing its product lines to meet the evolving needs of the global military and ceremonial sectors.
Rosie added: “In our 60th anniversary year we couldn’t be more proud of our incredibly talented team and of the historical significance of the regimental contracts we continue to secure across the world.”