Pattrington & Withernsea Gansey January 23 2018

Hand knitted for a recent retiree from the Humber RNLI life boat.

Cream 5 ply Gansey wool from British breeds sheep.

5 needle hand knitting in the round.

Hand knitted by Katie Banks, size 46" chest.

Impromptu hand painted back drop by Paul Banks. 

Shetland Wool Smock September 14 2017

Traditional fisherman's smock in Shetland wool.

British made fabric from Moon & son Lancashire.

Propagansey Exhibition 2015 October 04 2015

St.Stephens Old Church Robin Hood's Bay, East Yorkshire Coast.

Praise be to Deb Gillanders and her utterly fabulous Propergansey exhibition.

A real treat for any Gansey lover & a rare day trip out for some serious knitting inspiration.

With Ganseys sourced from all over British Isles from Scotland to Cornwall

even a few from over the North Sea in Holland.

Nice tonal mend to end of the collars & cuffs after much wear.

Below right, vintage hand stitched child's under shirt.

Hand printed postcards by local Filey artist Mel Whitaker.

The holy grail of Gansey wools..yes the mythical Poppleton's of Harrogate.

,

Until next year.

www.propagansey.co.uk / check PROPAGANSEY on facebook for details.

Utility Jacket Natural Indigo December 20 2014

More from our SS15 collection.

Natural Indigo Selvedge Denim, woven in Japan. 

Hand made in England.

Hand made Copper & Brass ring back fasteners to the

detachable overall buttons.

Heavy cotton Twill Pocket facings from Lancashire Mill Brisbane Moss.

Pre order at info@waysideflower.co.uk

Natural Indigo Selvedge Denim Jeans December 20 2014

First limited production run of our Natural Indigo

Selvedge Denim Jeans ready for shipping

1950's high waisted fit.

Woven in Japan. Hand made in England.

Sewn on a vintage Singer 969.

Thick industrial Polyester threads with cotton core.

Hand made brass fly buttons.

Launching soon.

Pre order at info@waysideflower.co.uk

Shop Coat, Utility clothing September 08 2014

Straight from the production line. 

British Made Shop Coats.

Re issue of the classic British Factory & Store workers coat from the 1950's.

Utility Coat front with concealed front button fastener. 

Detachable ring backed buttons.

On seam side entry pocket, for access to your inner pockets.

Large utility chest pocket with tool/pencil pocket detail.

Inner back vent & front inner button placket.

Heavy Twill from Lancashire's Brisbane Moss.

British made Menswear.

British Made Denim Jeans 1950 May 11 2014

 English..Denim? Yes we even made nice jeans right here in Blighty.

Back in the 1940' & 50's Nayytex where making Jeans in their Manchester factory.

Big with the Teddy Boys / Rockabillies of the 50's, as seen here in the photo above of

two young rebels atop the harbour in Bridlington in the summer of 1964.

Not the finest of back patches, no hot dye stamp branding here.

The label reads British Empire Made 10oz denim.

It's a lovely mid weight and feels great on.

The fit is half way between a regular jean and trouser.

With quite a big rise and sitting higher on waist then it's

modern denim equivalent.

A good size turn up, stay stitched in place to be worn up permanently.

Twin needle and bar-tack for the back pocket on the back of the twill. 

Here are a couple of pairs we made up ourselves in Japanese & Italian

selvedge denim, all done on a single stitch machine.

Shop Coat Vintage British Workwear 1950s May 01 2014

Wayside Flower brings the classic British Shop Coat up to date

for another shift on the factory floor.

Special make up for Watanabe & Co Japan.

More tailored in fit then it's original British utility inspiration.

English made sanded cotton canvas from Lancashire Mill Chapmans.

Wayside Flower internal woven labelling and swing tags.

Pen pocket & internal view of the side entry pocket.

Handy for reaching through to your jacket & trouser pockets.

Below images of an original British shop coat from around the

turn of the century. Once the dress of choice for white collar clerks

and factory men alike.

Longer in length then our version giving full protection to the wearer.

I'd imagine that along with the actual manufacture of the shop coat,

the fabric & all the trims would have been made in Britain. 

Not so easy an option nowadays.

Original sample size XL, shown here on a size 38" chest tailors dummy.

Far more tailored in it's pattern then the modern workwear equivalent.

Closer in it's pattern to a classic tailored jackets. Rather then a modern

boxy fit the seams curve around the body giving a closer fit and because

it comes from an earlier period of austerity it also uses slightly less fabric. 

On seam side entry pockets and front utility patch on pockets.

Inner pocket facings, self fabric tape to reinforce the pockets.

Internal factory label for 'Wood, Harris & Co.Ltd' British workwear

and military manufacturer.

Cotton web tape hanger loop & pen pocket.

Detachable buttons with a ring fastener to the back.

Hand Knitting a Filey Gansey, Sage Green March 17 2014

Classic with a twist.

Traditional Filey Gansey pattern gets a twist in Sage green.

Our latest Gansey knitted by Katie Banks going to it's new owner

up the coast in Scarborough.

above left close up detail of the underarm gusset decreases

into the purl stitches of the fake side seam, above right front

yolk pattern held on needle. The body has been knitted in

the round up to the under arm gusset. The rest of the chest

& back will be knitted up to the shoulder strap on 2 needles. 

The heavy use of the rope pattern on the Filey Gansey makes

the sweater incredibly dense and warm. Using considerably

more wool then required for plainer stocking stitch.

above right double yarn edge to the body rib.

left image armhole on holder. Right image collar rib,  

note how the yoke rope & step patterns have been

worked to flow straight into the rib above, nice. 

Stocking stitch knit above the hem rib allowing the wearer

to turn the hem upwards.

Rope & Step pattern knitted down the first sleeve on a set 

of 4 short 2.5mm needles. The rest of the sleeve will be

finished in stocking stitch up to the 2x2 rib cuff.

Yolk cable running up perfectly into the 2 x 2 rib collar.

Detail of the tonal colour change in yarn at bottom of sleeve.

Finished Filey Gansey sweater with hem rolled up.

British Frame Knit Sweaters January 22 2014

Coming soon..

British hand fame knit sweaters in grey marl.

Made from 100% British breeds wool, spun & dyed in Yorkshire.

To buy your own slice of British heritage email info@waysideflower.co.uk

Frame Knit Fishermans Sweaters January 20 2014

Coming soon..Hand frame knitted fishermans sweaters.

Based on our traditional hand knitted Yorkshire coast Gansey sweaters.

Using the same 5ply wool from British breeds sheep, knitted in Yorkshire.

To buy your own slice of British heritage email info@waysideflower.co.uk

Flamborough Sword Dance December 27 2013

Boxing Day and our yearly pilgrimage along the cliff top to Flamborough to watch the sword dance.

A cloudless sky and warm Winter sun bathing the chalk cliffs. Bridlington in the distance.

Worsted wool red hats and mini Ganseys for the juniors. Wooden swords at the ready.

Dog & Duck square Flamborough for a rousing finale to the days events.

Hand Knitted Fishermans Ganseys, white cotton trousers and cloth caps

for the men of the village.

The circle of life is complete. Another year passes and a new one begins.

Recycled North Face Dog Coat Jade December 11 2013

NEWLIFE series 2

Too good to cut..it's Sacrilege. Another one bites the dust.

The scissors are out for this Mountain classic.

Made to order North Face dog coat, going to Maryland USA.

Made to measure 13" from collar to tail.

Made to order email info@waysideflower.co.uk

Hand Knitting a Humber Star Gansey Sweater November 29 2013

Hand Knitted Humber Star Gansey Sweater.

The ultimate Christmas Sweater. Ready for a proud son of Hull.

British 5ply worsted wool, knitted from a 500g cone. 

Harbour Flag pattern knitted across the chest in double Moss stitch.

Double thickness of yarn knitted into the first few rows of the ham

rib to give extra strength and better maintain the ribs shape.

Ladder stitch panel above the rib at the side seam.

Arm hole held on a pin ready for the sleeve to be knitted down.

Double Moss stitch panel to Gansey shoulder.

Last few rows of the rib cuff knitted on three needles.

Last job. Tying up the loose ends, carefully sewing the threads

back into Gansey.

Humber Star Gansey hand knitted in East Yorkshire by Katie Banks.

Antique Cotton Shirt November 28 2013

Vintage turn of the century cotton, British made.

Original name still visible. Hand painted on by owner.

With what looks like a hand stitched hem seam.

Front and back panels lined up ready for the collar.

Antique Mother of Pearl buttons hand sewn on.

V shaping detail at the centre back of the collar.

V shaping again at the centre of the cuffs.

U57 - Scarborough Fishing Trawlers November 10 2013

Unfortunately for the crew of this Scarborough steam trawler the U stood for u-boat

WWI 1916 and the sinking of 11 fishing boats just off the East Yorkshire coast.

The German u-boat Captains rather unsettling map of our local waters.

Log of the German U-Boat which sank eleven Scarborough trawlers in 1916.

The following is taken from the log of the German U-Boat which sank 11 Scarborough Trawlers in 1916. He was Ritter Karl Siegfried Von Georg. This log begins just after the U-Boat had torpedoed the steamer 'Laila' and taken its crew onboard. 

The many lights of a fishing fleet come into sight. The steamers are fishing in formation in a long line. 

On a previous day a fishing steamer had come into sight and I had approached it under water to within 200-300 Metres, without noticing anything suspicious and had traversed my whole allocated area without any sign of hostile action, therefore I can only assume that this was a harmless fishing fleet and I resolve to destroy it. I approached the last steamer in the formation of approximately 12 vessels to within 40-50 metres and ask the Norwegian Captain of the Laila to do me the favour of rowing to this last steamer and informing him that a German vessel is in attendance, and whose captain is ordering him to leave his vessel immediately, along with all his crew and all his papers, and come back alongside. Any refusal to follow this order would result in the U-Boat using its weapons against it. 

I made the Captain of the Laila aware that I had no right to order him to approach the fishing steamer, but that he would be doing me a great service if he acceded to my request. The Captain gladly carried out my request. The Laila boat and a boat from the steamer came back with the crew of the Fisher Prince. The fishing vessel continues to make way, with lights on display, and nothing unusual is on board. I decide to use the Fisher Prince to assemble the crews of the remaining fishing vessels and then to destroy the steamers. An immediate attack would have merely caused the remaining vessels to flee. I confiscated the papers of the fishing vessel. Oberleutnant z. S. Von Ruckteschell, two junior officers and two men were sent back to the Fisher Prince with its crew, after the ship's captain was made to understand the officer's orders. In the event of the slightest reluctance to follow a command, the U-Boat - which would be following closely behind - would make use of its armaments. 

It was never my intention to remain close to the fishing steam during the night, I merely wanted to ensure the captains obedience by making this statement. 

Amongst the accompanying fishing fleet, one of the steamers is seen to be in motion and heading towards me. Oberleutnant z. S. Von Ruckteschell evidently notices this and heads immediately across the bows of the steamer and forces it to stop. According to its captain, it was merely attempting to set its nets properly. The crew are taken onboard the Fisher Prince. 

The Fisher Prince is called back. The steamer Tarantula, which I had gone alongside, was sunk by opening the scuppers. 

Oberleutnant z. S. Von Ruckteschell receives the order to use the Fisher Prince and make all machinery unusable and sink all the boats with the exception of one which he should use to come back onboard. Oberleutnant z. S. Von Ruckteschell with his men. I now have the complete crew back onboard. 

Proceed north of the fleet, awaiting full daylight. 

To the north a fishing steamer is in full sight. Warning shot, signal 'leave the ship'. Its papers are brought aboard, it is the steamer 'James Cook'. The steamer is sunk by artillery fire, its crew to be sent to the Fisher Prince and are towed part of the way. 

I proceed quickly, in order to avoid possible enemy submarine attacks, between the deserted fishing steamers and destroy the remaining ships by artillery fire. 

I hereby note the outstanding actions of Oberleutnant z. S. Von Ruckteschell for his contribution to the success of this action. 

To the south, a fishing steamer is attempting to flee. Warning shot, crew leaves the boat and rows across to the Fisher Prince. which is the only remaining vessel of the fishing fleet. 

The fishing steamer Harriet is sunk by artillery fire. 

To the south a fishing steamer is in sight, approach it, warning shot, the crew leaves the ship. Fishing steamer Quebec sunk by artillery fire. Papers cannot be confiscated, since a large freight steamer comes into sight to the south. By signal and a warning shot she is brought to a stop. 

Captain comes onboard with his papers, she is the steamer 'Tromp' (Norwegian) on a voyage from Amsterdam to Newcastle, unladen. 

Captain has a letter of transit from the German Ambassador in Amsterdam as the steamer is in use to bring supplies to the civilian population of Belgium from America. The Tromp is allowed to proceed, her Captain is asked to take on board the crews of the fishing steamers and the lifeboats of the Quebec and Harrier. The Captain promises to make haste with this. 

Fisher Prince is sunk by artillery. The steamer 'Tromp' had taken on board the crew of the fishing steamer. 

Steamer 'Seal' destroyed by artillery. 

Head to the south-east corner of my area to await probable counter attack and to look out again for warning vessels for zeppelin attacks. 

Fishing steamer in sight, warning shot, crew leaves ship, lifeboat with crew onboard taken into tow in order to confiscate papers. Lifeboat capsizes on being pulled level, two people who fell into the water are rescued. Crew taken on board. 

Fishing steamer 'Cynthia' sunk by artillery. 

The following fishing steamers have now been sunk:
1. Fisher Prince 136.32 t
2. Loch Ness 176.36 t 
3. St Hilda 93.86 t
4. Nil Desperandum 148t 
5. Devonshire 166.38 t
6. Otterhound 166t
7. Seal 135.4 t
8. Sunshine 210.40 t
9. Trinidad 173.68 t 
10. Harrier 191.96 t 
11. Marguerite 178.29 t 
12. Otter 157.13 t 
13. Tarantula 180.30 t 
14. James Cook 144.99 t 
(This was an error in the log. This was actually the Gamecock) 15. Eriton 
16. Aphelion 
17. Tagelie 
18. Albatross 
19. Cynthia
20. Triumph 
21. Quebec 
22. Ranze(not sunk, machinery disabled) 

Tonnage of steamers whose papers were obtained 2259.36t
5 fishing steamers with average tonnage of 160t
Total tonnage of fishing steamers sunk 3539.36 t

Some people have claimed(Ian Duncan. Scarborough Today) that the commander of the U-Boat was showing great courage in saving the lives of 126 fishermen when it would have been easier to have sunk them. The records clearly show the Commanders motives - he wanted to trick the men off the boats. By persuading the crews off the boats one by one he sank them all. If he had opened fire then they would have dispersed.

The U-Boat commander, Ritter Karl Siegfried Von Georg was merely following orders. Crews of sunken vessels had to be looked after. This was the quiet period of the U-Boat campaign following the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915. The Germans desperately wanted to avoid bringing the USA into the war and so unrestricted U-Boat attacks were banned. When he asked the Norwegian skipper to go over to the Fisher Prince "it was all bluff. If the skipper refused to obey, there was nothing I could do". He was surprised at the actions of the trawler which quietly rowed over to surrender. It was the mere word "submarine" which had persauded the fishermen to surrender so obediently. They did not even attempt to warn the skippers of other boats. The commander said that "the English head wasn't working that night". The fishermen were not going to take the risk and probably knew little of the U-Boats strict orders. 

Sources
- U57 Log book 
- "Raiders of the Deep"

Read the article in full here.

Coming soon - Herringbone Wool Harrington Jacket November 04 2013

Twice the work, twice the jacket. 

Fully reversible Classic British Harrington Jacket.

Abraham Moon Herringbone Wool.

The outer shell of the bomber jacket is made up in beautifully soft 

Merino wool tweed. Low fuel miles too coming from their Guisley Mill.

Naturally waterproof wool tweed.

Welt pockets chalked out on the reverse of the wool.

Pocketing & front welts awaiting final edge stitch.

Cording inserted down the c.f to prevent the zip catching.

Real horn buttons hand sewn onto the collar on both sides.

Gimped button hole & profile of button shank.

Reverse side cotton Twill from Lancashire.

Pinning the French seams. Right, finished raglan sleeve seam.

Pockets marked out and sewn through to the pocket bags.

Hand knitted fishermans rib cuffs, British 5 ply Gansey wool.

Just the YKK brass zip to add and the hand knitted fishermans rib cuffs.

Vintage Aran Sweaters October 27 2013

More hand knitted fishermans sweaters from our recent lucky hoard.

Close up of the classic Aran pattern running up the chest.

washed out indigo cotton stay tape & inner shoulder patch.

The sailors initials lovingly embroidered to the chest of this

vintage fishermans jumper.

A proper pair of socks. These hand knitted fishermans socks

are huge.  Big enough to turn over your boots.

All the items were hand knitted around Flamborough East Yorkshire.

Vintage Original Flamborough Gansey October 27 2013

We were fortunate enough to be able to buy this extremely rare

example of an original hand knitted Flamborough Gansey sweater recently.

It's the finest vintage Gansey we have seen. It's a real museum piece and

a beautiful example of British heritage knitwear.

Woven name label sewn neatly into the back neck.

Bought from a local auction house and originaly belonging to

Mr.D.M.Burnhill from the small village of Sewerby a couple of miles down the

coast from Flamborough Head. 

Knitted around 1940-50 in a 4ply wool, probably using the original

Poppleton's Gansey wool from Harrogate. This is a much finer yarn

then is available today. For the wearer the finer yarn means a denser

knit structure giving far better warmth and rain resistance. For the knitter  

however the finer yarn means many more hours of knitting.

The Gansey must be over 50 years old and yet it has not lost any of its

shape and hardly any of its colour. The definition of the Net Mask & Cable

patterns is staggering.

The size is now a small, washed down and shrunk a little from what was 

probably a medium when first knitted. The continuous washing by both man

and the North Sea have left the knit with a tight almost felt like structure.

It is easy to see where the phrase Fishermans Iron comes from. 

This type of traditional hand knitting really would turn water. 

Looking at the excelent condition of a Gansey this old and well made gives us

a glimpse of a time stretching away from us now. When clothes were made,

not bought and care was taken to ensure at least one lifetime of use.  

Ahh the good ol days.

Winter Tides October 14 2013

No swimming today, she's definitely on the turn.

Winter Tides North Pier, W.SIDE-4 from Wayside Flower on Vimeo.

Gulls hover over the North pier. The rough seas churn up the sea bed providing rich

pickings, for the plucky few.

Anglers young & old enjoying a days beach casting, donkey bridge North bay Bridlington.

Beach Casting North Bay W.SIDE-5 from Wayside Flower on Vimeo.

Aye aye captain, tanker sheltering near Smithic Sands off Flamborough Head.

Sea Kings October 09 2013

Through the looking glass. A week in the studio.

For inspiration, just take a look out of the window. Paragliding North Beach Bridlington.

Warm air travels across the bay and up the cliffs, providing the perfect lift to those brave enough

to throw themselves over the edge and soar like a bird.

Down to work. Made to measure Sea King cagoule in waterproof & breathable

British Millerain wax cotton. Brass eyelets attached for the front drawcords.

Panels laid out ready to assemble the hood.

Gimped button holes and real horn buttons for the front pockets.

Wayside Flower & British Millerain woven labels inside back neck.

Inner elasticated cuffs, pinned and pressed ready for sewing.

The finished Mens Cagoule. Ready for collection.

Right on cue. RAF Sea King helicopter approaches.

Stationed close by at RAF Leconfield the Sea King provides air sea rescue

cover along the East Yorkshire coast. 

Punch & Judy, Old Town Dickensian Festival October 07 2013

What did you say Mr.Punch? Dickens Festival.

Preparations apace for the upcoming Old Town Festival, 24th November 2013.

That's the way to do it..Digital projections of this Great British Seaside classic.

Catamaran Sailing South Shore September 23 2013

September sunshine, too good to miss. Wayside Flower tries a day on the wire.

Catamaran sailing lesson 1, Dart Class.

Just lay back and think of England. Assuming the position, Natalie's shown the ropes.

Intake of breath as the sail is winched up into position, she's a big one.

Perfect conditions. The waters as flat as it gets for the North Sea

with only a slight South Easterly breeze of around 10-15 mph.

Ok so it's once around buoy and back to the club house. Course map.

We'll fight them on the beaches, world war two coastal defences Haisethorpe,

more Dads Army then the Hindenburg Line.

Wood houses dotted along the coast line.

Old tea house. 'Out of use' looks like it's out of the 1950's.

Tartan Neck Scarf Fishermans Muffler September 21 2013

Our latest Tartan Neck Scarf, known locally to Bridlington

Fisherman as a Muffler. Our work continues in trying to

recreate this deceptively tricky and now rare piece of kit.

Once standard issue to all men working out on the North Sea.

Brushed cotton Stewart Royal Tartan cloth, woven in Scotland.

Usually worn to prevent your Gansey sweater or heavy oil skin

waterproofs from rubbing your neck.

The tartan neck scarf measures 73cm x 73cm square.

The devils in the details, hand frayed edges instead of turned and sewn

seams to avoid the chance of any abrasion.

With a traditional fishermans neck scarf you should always

be able to wrap the neck scarf twice around the neck before 

tying off in a knot at the front.

Tanker on the horizon heading south along the East coast

with the Bridlington Coast Guard station keeping the watch.

Hull dock worker sporting his tartan neck scarf. Pictured here around 1960.

Thanks to local fishing legend Dave for all the information and

background history on the traditional fishermans mufflers.

Made to Measure Workwear September 15 2013

Suits you Sir, made to measure work shirt & jacket.

Day 1.

After a first fitting of the toile on Wednesday were good to

go on making up the final workwear jacket & work shirt in

2 shades of navy blue cotton twill in varying weights.

Collar point has been moved forward along with a reduction

in the height of the collar stand.

Pinning the rolled hem before sewing, tricky even with all those pins.

Coffee break. Hornsea pottery mug, a celebration of East Coast

Petrochemical plants, made in 1978 about 10 miles away.

With the hard work done just the buttons & final press before she's ready.

Day 2.

Up early, sure is a beautiful day. Nice Scye too. (sorry pattern cutter joke).

Front jacket panels laid out. Pockets pressed then stitched down.

Stop staring out of the window, Flamborough Head & Danes Dyke.

Workwear Jacket pressed and ready for it's new owner.

AW Collection in store September 11 2013

AW Collection in store now at our Handmade store Wayside Flower

100 High.Street . Old Town . Bridlington . East Yorkshire . England

Shetland Pattern Gansey Sweaters September 09 2013

From the Archives - Island life North of the border, Och aye

Similar to the Yorkshire coast Gansey sweaters but generally hand

knitted in a finer 3 or 4 ply wool yarn.

Check back soon for more from The Shetland Isles.

Knit For Victory September 09 2013

British hand knitting patterns from 1940's. Keep warm and carry on.

North Face x Mac3 Dog Coat September 09 2013

NEWLIFE series 1

It was his Masters favourite. Now it his too...

Recycled North Face Jacket gets a fresh set of legs.

He likes it. Feels so natural.

Made to order email info@waysideflower.co.uk

Hand Knitting - Bridlidlington Gansey Sweater September 08 2013

Sunday afternoon 3rd fitting off our new hand knitted Bridlington Gansey

sweater and she's a purler.  5 ply worsted wool worked on five 2.5mm

needles, British breeds wool dyed and spun in Yorkshire.

Once finished should last a life time of even the roughest wear

plus can be worn inside out and back to front which is handy.

Close up on Kates handy work, Gansey sweater yolk panel.

Gansey pattern knitted down the arm as far as the elbow.

Then plain knit down to the 2 x 2 rib cuffs.

This Gansey is a size Medium, shown here on 38" chest stockman. 

The traditional Yorkshire Coast Gansey patterns of Love Hearts run

through the centre flanked by Betty Martin, Cable & Net Mask patterns.

Deep 2x2 rib used at the hem of Gansey with the last few rows worked in

double thickness yarn for extra strength.

Just the last sleeve of the Gansey sweater to knit down from the shoulder

again in the round using 5 short 2.5mm needles. Check back in around two

weeks to see the finished Gansey sweater.

St. Andrew's Fish Dock in Hull, Film 1962 September 08 2013

This film shows men working on St. Andrew's Fish Dock in Hull and the methods of their work. 

It provides an interesting look at this side of the fishing industry in 1962. 

Watch the film at: http://ow.ly/oFmop   

A trawler (The Lord Hawke, Hull) is moored alongside the dock.  Baskets of fish are transported via a series of pulleys and ropes.  They swing across from the ship on to the dock where men catch them and empty the fish in to buckets.  The buckets are then wheeled off in carts.  This sequence provides good footage of the unloading process and the dock workers from various angles.  There are close-ups of the pulleys as well as the halibut on the floor.  The men wash down the metal trays and pile them up.  Baskets of fish are pulled up from holes at the side of the docks.  Baskets of ice are emptied into the water, and some of the fish can be seen having been dropped out of the baskets. 

There are vast rows of buckets of fish, and a man in a white coat stands on top of the buckets inspecting them.  On one bucket full of fish, there is a “Birdseye”, “Newington” sign.  There is also a bucket with “Jackson Mills” and “Chappie Animal Feeding Stuffs” on it.  On the docks, the fish are being gutted and having their bones and heads removed.  A man climbs up the mast of the trawler and throws something down to a group of men in white coats.  There are scenes of wolf fish being deboned and their skins being removed. 

Trucks back up towards a warehouse, and one truck has “Bogg & Son Wholesale Fish Merchants” on its side.  In the background another truck pulls off.  A man starts to load up the trucks from the warehouse, and there are more scenes of the dock workers.  The trawler and dinghy pull away from the dock, and two men can be seen on board.  Several halibut are laid out, and a man drags one away.  The film closes with different trawlers going by including the “H329 Somerset Maugham.”

- See more at: http://yorkshirefilmarchive.com

Wormald and Walker Blanket Mills, Dewsbury 1932 September 07 2013

Health & safety shocker..Man eating machines.

Yep there isn't much romance for the 'Good old days" in this video.

Harsh realities of our industrial past. Proper work a tMill.

Watch the full video at: http://ow.ly/oEvR2

Made by the Empire Marketing Board for Wormald and Walker Blanket Mills,

this film documents the entire process of making woollen blankets at a mill in Dewsbury.

The film begins with an aerial view of Wormald and Walker Blanket Mills.  Inside the mill there is a long line of machinery in operation, with women working at the looms. A steam train passes by the station, and then raw stacks of wool are loaded onto a horse and cart from the loading bay.  At the factory, these are taken into a warehouse and inspected.   In a large room workers are at long benches with account books.  The wool is being sorted.  The sacks of wool are emptied into a large storeroom, mixed, and loaded onto a conveyor belt into more machinery.  Women are working the Jacquard looms.  In another room, men are brushing down the blanket material.  The wool is then boiled and put onto carts for the next stage.  The wool goes through various stages of treatment before being loaded into carts from large barrels.   It is then packed into bags and continues through a number of different stages including dying and weaving into the finished carpets.  Scenes of men stoking the boilers follow this.   

There is a large room full of looms being worked by women.  The blankets are then finished off by hand, cleaned of excess wool using brushes, inspected, and packed up.  There is a room with piles of unfinished blankets, and machinists are at work sewing the edges.   In a machine tool room, red hot metal is being made into machine parts.  In other rooms the machines are being maintained, timber is used (for packing boxes?), and baskets are hand woven. 

A group of elderly staff pose for a photograph outside a large doorway, focusing on one man in particular. He is William Robinson, who, at the age of 90, had just been awarded a medal by the Yorkshire Post for having worked at one firm for longer than anyone else in Yorkshire.   This posed scene is followed by another group of elderly women in working clothes.  Next, the workers leave the factory at the end of the shift.  

At an outdoor event, possibly the factory sports day, a man makes a speech which is followed by a game where people try to flip coins into a bowl.  There are also other games including one with a blindfolded woman as well as a cricket match during which the factory can be seen in the background.   

Back at the factory, men are checking and folding blankets, and the blankets are taken through large machines.  Two women carry piles of finished blankets to a large store.  Next long the lines of blankets hung on wooden drying racks are drying outside the factory.  The blankets are then packaged for distribution, using a compression machine, and taken away in wooden crates by horse and cart.  A steam engine pulls a train of goods wagons. 

At an outdoor event, there is a brief speech.  Additionally, there is more footage of the blankets drying outdoors.  Also, there are women working the looms and brief scenes of further components of the blanket making process.   

There is a brief scene of houses and streets before blankets on a roller ad then returning to the cricket game.  Next wool is spun onto large spools, and then there is an external view of the factory.  Large outside vats of water are shown before a river with a bridge and church.  The horse drawn wagon loaded with blankets crosses the bridge.  Original patterned blankets are opened up for display, and one of the women holds up a very fluffy white blanket.   

There is a building with a lantern over the doorway as well as more scenes of the bridge.  Then a woman finishes off the ends of a blanket on a sewing machine and holds it up for the camera.  An almost finished carpet goes through a machine.  Wool is cleaned or dyed in a steaming liquid.   

Following this are many of the stages of the blanket making process and all the machines are in action.  A man holds up for display a handful of pine shaped brushes.  The blanket material is being hung out for drying before the film ends with men folding up the dried blanket.

- See more at: http://yorkshirefilmarchive.com

'Climmers' Egg Collectors Flamborough Cliffs, 1908 September 07 2013

Watch the full video at: http://yorkshirefilmarchive.com/film/egg-harvest-cliff-climbing-flamborough

Filmed in 1908, this film shows a group of men, known as climmers, who collect eggs from bird nests on the cliffs at Flamborough. 

A group of men emerge from a dugout at the top of the cliffs.  They are carrying ropes, pickaxes, and other implements.  One man sits on the ground holding a rope that is tethered to the ground with a metal spike.  Another man climbs to the cliff edge whilst a third abseils down the cliff.  He kicks off the cliff face, and each time he falls back to the cliff, he collects eggs from the birds’ nests placing them in sacks hanging around his waist.  The film then shows a close-up of a man collecting eggs from the cliff face.  (It is most likely this scene had been set up – it not being possible to film this any other way at the time.) 

The next portion of the film shows the man pulling himself back up the rope as he ‘bounces’ off the cliff face.  On top of the cliff, five men sitting on the ground pull up the rope.  The climmer turns to the camera holding up an egg.  The eggs are unloaded into a basket, later being distributed into several baskets.  The climmer then holds a Puffin in one hand and a Guillemot in the other.  He pushes them together as if to enact a fight between them as the birds struggle to escape.

Hand Frame Knitting Video, Part 1 September 07 2013

Down to business. Hand frame knitting our new Autumn knitwear range of

Authentic Fishermans sweater at a small local factory just down the coast.

frame-knitting-W.SIDE-1 from Wayside Flower on Vimeo.

She's making it look easy but there's thirty years of practice going into this.

First body samples coming off the machines. Not in the correct wool yet. 

This first sample is just to help work out the pattern and number of rows &

stitches needed. The finished fishermans knit sweaters will be much denser

and in Navy using 5 ply worsted wool from British breeds, spun & dyed in Yorkshire. 

frame-knitting-W.SIDE-2 from Wayside Flower on Vimeo.

Hey what does this do.. Circular linking machine for joining the side seams.

No cut & sew here all the seams are hand link finished.

Lewis model 200, vintage Union Special used for sewing on cardigan buttons.

frame-knitting-W.SIDE-3 from Wayside Flower on Vimeo.

Pressing the knit panels flat using wood pads & steam bed to flatten the knit.

It's grey outside, but not in here. Cones of 5 ply wool yarn in every hue and colour.

Brutalism from the Hessle Foreshore, homeward bound Humber Bridge.

Check back in a week or so to see the finished Fishermans sweaters with the

sleeves added ready for our store.

Oil Rig Coasters September 04 2013

Who dosen't love a great picture of an oil rig..

Get the whole Nautique look with these stunning Oil Rig Coasters.

1978 British Energy Stamps Designed by Peter Murdock September 04 2013

Nice illustrations not sure what happened to the Great British Energy industry depicted..oh dear

Pot Luck, Archive Footage of The Wayside Flower September 04 2013

Watch the video at: http://www.yfaonline.com/film/pot-luck

POT LUCK
1962

This documentary film was made by Bill Freeman in 1962.  It focuses on the fishing industry in Bridlington and features the crew of the Wayside Flower as they bring in the catch of the day including lobsters and crabs.   

The film opens with a sunrise over the water; a man approaches the docks and climbs aboard a fishing boat.  More men arrive to board the Wayside Flower and begin to load lobster nets onto the boat.  As the boat begins its journey, the docks appear to move further into the distance.  Other boats are seen at sea as the boat rocks backwards and forwards on the waters.  The captain of the boat is inside the steering vestal.

The fishermen pull up lobster nets from the sea and unload their catch.  They begin to prepare the lobsters by tying string around the claws.  Once the catch has been unloaded, the fishermen throw the cages back into the sea.  

When the fishermen arrive back at the docks, they secure the boat with a series of ropes.  The fishermen move barrels containing the day’s catch onto a wooden platform, which is pulled up by a crane and loaded onto the docks.  There are crabs stored inside large wooden containers with rope handles marked ‘Grimsby Fish’.  

When the containers are placed on the dock, fishermen unload them and start to prepare the fish that are inside.  Two fishermen are working at a table, gutting into the fish and putting them into a basket.  Other containers marked ‘W. SIDE’ are loaded onto the crane and placed on the docks.  

Once the fishermen have unloaded their catch, they walk away from the docks towards Bridlington.

- See more at: www.yorkshirefilmarchive.com

Little Denmark archive footage, part 1 September 04 2013

Watch the video at: http://www.yfaonline.com/film/little-denmark-part-1
LITTLE DENMARK, PART 1
1957

A film documenting the work of the R.N.L.I at Flamborough, the film also shows a day in the life of working fishermen out of Flamborough.

The film opens with shots of Flamborough Bay followed by an introduction to the contributors who are shown in close up.

There is footage of the outskirts of Flamborough followed by scenes of the village including St Oswald’s Church, ruins of Flamborough Castle, and the War Memorial where a British Legion Service of Commemoration takes place.  Service members lay a poppy wreath on the memorial.  Views of Flamborough High Street include the Royal Dog and Duck Hotel, and the Ship Hotel.  Many cars can be seen in the village, and a lady walks by pushing a pram. 

The next scene features the Fishermen’s War Memorial and a Flamborough Sword Dance display.  This is followed by a view of Flamborough Head where both the old and new lighthouse can be seen, and the lighthouse keepers are introduced.  Views of South landing and the old lifeboat hut can be seen, and there are families enjoying the sandy beach.

A crowd is gathered at the North Landing for the annual Lifeboat Flag Day.  People in fancy dress and crowds gather to watch the demonstration launch of the lifeboat.  A helicopter drops a flare as part of the event.

The next portion of the film focuses on the fishermen who make their livelihood out of Flamborough.  The day’s catch of crabs and lobsters are hauled up the beach at Flamborough and loaded on to vans.  George Emerson and his brother show us a day in the life of their fishing vessel, the Silver Line.  At sea they haul in baskets of lobsters and crabs.  Back on shore, they bate the lines with mussels and whelks for the next day.  Out on the boat there is long lining for cod and haddock.  The fish are then prepared for gutting, and the livers are kept for cod liver oil.  Seagulls swarm around the boat as it heads for the North Landing to bring in the day’s catch.

See more at: www.yorkshirefilmarchive.com

Yorkshire Life September 03 2013

A flick through the pages of Yorkshire Life and the Dalesman circa 1950.

A new ship being launched into the river Hull near Beverley.

Unmistakeble tones of the factory floor in the foreground illustration

of the workers in their traditional British Workwear of around 1950.

North Landing Flamborough and inspiration for some of

Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland.

The Great Gale September 03 2013

Ghostly images from the archive. The Great Gale of Bridlington 1871.

Waterproof Dog Rug - Wear Test August 30 2013

What to do with all those remnants..

First wear test of our new waxed cotton Dog Rug. 

Mac puts the prototype through it's paces. Go Boy..

Pawformance Features include - British Millerain Wax cotton outer shell, 

Lancashires finest heavy brushed twill liner, Finished with MOD web tape.

Northern Winters, don't worry we've thought of everything

The Mac Two even has a fibre fill mid layer to keep him toasty.

Made to order email info@waysideflower.co.uk

A Mothers Pride - Hand Knitting a Gansey Sweater August 30 2013

gansey-hd from Wayside Flower on Vimeo.

Thanks again to Ben & Lynn at Walker&Walker for the great feature and profile on

Katie Banks Gansey Knitter.

Menswear shoot Autumn 2013 August 26 2013

Wayside Flower Autumn 2013. Collection preview behind thescenes at our

studio photo shoot. British made Menswear workwear and Gansey knitwear

Photo Shoot Flamborough AW13 August 26 2013

North Landing Flamborough, home of the East Coast Gansey.

They may have taken down the moated embattlements that once isolated

this Eastermost hook of the British Isles but the people here are still a breed apart.

Tractors are used to haul the cobles ashore and up the embankment safe

from the ravages of the North Sea. A role previously belonging to donkeys.

The Emmerson family who can trace their family back through hundreds of years

on these beaches are still fishing the waters off Flamborough Head. Now along

with the occasional tourist excursion to boot.

Humber Keel Gansey August 16 2013

Hand knitting a traditional East Yorkshire Fisherman's Gansey.

123 hours to knit by Kate Banks, in 5ply worsted wool.

Knitted on set of four 2.5mm needles.

Featuring Harbour Flags, Net Mask & Honey combe, Cable,

Diamonds, Herringbone and Steps & Ladder stitches.

A stroll down the Quay August 15 2013

Bridlington quay though the ages, a pictorial snap shot of harbour life. 

Hull Maritime Museum August 13 2013

More from our time in the Hull Maritime Museum. 

Scrimshaw from the Arctic trawlermen.

Well worth a visit and it's free.

Propagansey Exhibition August 13 2013

An amazing day spent in Glorious Hull at the Maritime Museum.

Propagansey tour pulls into town and blows our socks off.

So many Ganseys so little time. The temptation to rub,touch &

fondle is almost irresistible. Back behind the rope please Sir.

The Gansey sweaters knitted in Scotland are much finer then our own

East Yorkshire Ganseys. Using 4 or even 3ply wool yarn instead of  the

5ply wool we use today. The hand feel is also softer then our worsted wool.

Another big difference is the array of colours in these Fisherman's Gansey

sweaters. Probably dyed by using local dye pigments from the land around

the Moray of Firth and Shetland.  

Leave me here, I think I'm in heaven. Next stop Robin Hoods Bay.

Shop here for Gansey sweaters.