KING GROWS FLAX

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 50, Issue 3057, 2 April 1941, Page 3

KING GROWS FLAX

GREEK SOLDIERS’ KILTS WORK AT, SANDRINGHAM The King has ordered a further supply of the best Canadian pedigree seed for several score of acres at Sandringham which he has decided to bring under the plough to grow more flax for the new Norfolk industry begun by his father a few years ago. To-day flax grown in Norfolk is a valuable contribution to the needs of the fine linen and damask makers in Northern Ireland, two of whose former sources of supply, in Belgium and Holland, are now entirely closed. The greater part of these lovely damasks woven in Ulster’ are destined for export to the United States with whom this trade is worth many millions a year: In 1939 the States imported 22,000,000 dollars’ worth, mostly from the United Kingdom. More interesting, at the moment, is •the supply of Ulster linen to the troops of Greece. Linen to make the “fustanella” or kilt of the Greek regiments of Evzones has been exported from Ulster to Greece for some years. It is still regarded as an essential part of their equipment: the red skull cap and tassel, the sleeveless jacket, and, chiefly the kilt or flounced skirt of Ulster linen worn over the tights of lambskin wool and finishing with the shoes of rope soles and turned-up toes with black pompoms.

It was when he paid a two-day visit to Sandringham some weeks ago that the King discussed the whole problem of next year’s flax crops with his agent, Mr Fellowes, who had special leave from his military duties with the Scots Guards for the occasion. Then the King, who had made a careful study of reports sent him by the Ministry of Agriculture, the Government of Northern Ireland, and the Linen Trade Association, told Mr Fellowes that he considered it of the first importance to increase the flax output of this country, and, to give other Norfolk landowners and farmers a lead, he had decided to set aside a much larger proportion of his land for the purpose this year. Ulster linen makers, delighted at the King’s interest in their industry,

recently caused approaches to be made to present the King and Queen with some especially fine" sheets and bed linen, woven from their own flax. But the King and Queen who already have two superfine handkerchiefs of Ulster linen made from Sandringham flax, a souvenir of their Coronation visit, declined the gift. The King has decided that all such courtesy gifts, especially of vital export materials, must be postponed until after the war.