Witney blanket (utility blanket), 'Witnedown'

Description
Witnedown woven wool utility blanket; the edges are bound with ribbon and overstitched. It has a Utility mark label which reads: 'PRICE CONTROL MARK WOVEN WOOL BLANKET / This blanket is a price control mark and must not be removed / Witnedown Made in Witney'. The weight is five and a half pounds.

Background
This blanket was purchased during the Second World War in Manchester and kept in reserve. It was never used, as colour dyed blankets became the fashion after the war. The Utility label was introduced in Britain towards the end of 1941 to aid the wartime economy. It was designed to conserve raw materials such as wool and cloth and also to increase efficiency in working practices and keep clothing prices reasonably low. At first the scheme only applied to clothing but later furniture and furnishings were included before it was withdrawn in 1952. 'Witnedown' was a trade name of the Smith and Philips blanket making firm in Witney, which was retained despite the Utility restrictions.

Details
Height 235 cm, width 184 cm
Woven by W. Smith and Co. and J. and N. Philips (Witney) Ltd at Bridge Street Mill, Bridge Street, Witney, Oxfordshire
Purchased at Manchester, Greater Manchester, 1941 - 1945