Archive #9/65: The Story of the Uniform - Not Orange, Not Red!

"Not orange – not red! It must be crimson, urged Mr Alex Kirkpatrick, tossing aside swatch after swatch of woollen cloth samples as we searched for the colour identical to Edinburgh’s famous Loretto College.

Mr Alex Kirkpatrick and Mr R D Brown, having been to Scotland and seen the smart young Loretto pupils in Edinburgh’s streets, were determined to follow suit.

Sourcing manufacturers was no problem as the ‘House of Blackmore’ was already outfitting Hereworth School and Wanganui Collegiate. It was coordinating the correct colour to ensure that the cap, the blazer, the football jersey, and socks, all from different manufacturers, were of the same crimson hue.

That matter solved, we had the inevitable problem of two supporters’ camps, one in favour of the bright and handsome uniform, the other more conservative camp disliking the eye-catching blazer and cap.

This situation was short-lived however and Hastings citizens soon became accustomed and indeed, proud of their new, progressive College with their impressive uniform."

Written by Colin Blackmore, The House of Blackmore, Lindisfarne College's first College Outfitters.

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