Speaker Robert Allan

Robert had organised a visit by The Worshipful Company of Woolmen to Wyedean Weaving in Haworth. As there had been spare places a few Rotarians went along as well. Both he and they gave some details of what they had learned on the visit.

The company originated in Coventry 160 years ago under the name of Dalton Barton. In the 1950’s it found hiring labour in Coventry expensive because of the rates being paid by car manufacturers in the area so it moved to the Wye Valley which gives its name to the company. David Wright worked for the company which at that time made many sorts of narrow fabrics for things like carpet binding and curtain tape as well as military ribbons. In 1964 he bought the military side of the business and moved it to Bridgehouse Mills in Haworth where he had originally been an apprentice. Today the company is run by his son Robin along with other members of the family.

The company has over 1,000 employees, but these are mainly based abroad in places such as Pakistan, India and Singapore. There are 20 employees in Haworth who primarily deal with final assembly and quality control. Although they get orders from all over the world all items made abroad must first go to Haworth for quality control checks before being shipped to the end customer.

They make all the types of regalia that gets pinned to Army, Navy and Airforce uniforms as well as onto ceremonial dress for monarchs and such organisations as the Metropolitan Police. The Canadian Mounties and other police forces and military around the world.

In order to get work from the UK Ministry of Defence the company must tender for each contract and as this is so specialised each contract can cost up to £20,000 to produce the proposal. However once approved the contract usually lasts for 4 or 5 years. The recent change of monarch was very good for business as a lot of accoutrements had to be changed to reflect the King as head of state.

John Barrow noted that in the reception area was the figure of a man with a teapot of Yorkshire Tea on his head. There was also a large bell out of the original factory that had burnt down. There were examples in the workshop of Jacquard narrow weaving looms with very small shuttles as well as lots of different types of sewing machines for specialised jobs.

Robin’s daughter has now set up an online business to sell to the general public. These sales are primarily going to reenactment clubs.

The owner’s parting comment was that without the regalia a uniform is just a suit.

More details can be found about the company on their website https://www.wyedean.com/

Ken then rounded of the meeting by quoting some nominative determinisms from Susie Dent: -

Among the examples that he gave were the Testicular doctor - Dr Pullum, Urologist - Burns-Cox, Meteorologist - Sarah Blizzard, and Sprinter - Usain Bolt. There were also company names following the same theme Solicitors - Wright Hassle and Optometrist Dr C Wright. Ken gave his own example of his music teacher at school who was called Miss Sparrow.