The extraordinary history of the British army was brought to fascinating life on Sunday as the second in a series of six 'creative heritage' events was held at the Busy Buttons Creative Arts Centre at Windsor Yards.
The heritage events are a highlight of the 'little GREAT exhibition’ currently running at Busy Buttons.
The team from the Household Cavalry Museum were welcome visitors, offering a captivating insight into the transformation that the army experienced during the Victorian era.
Visitors learned how the purely ceremonial uniform worn by the Royal Guards had a functional purpose on the battlefield at the onset of the Victorian era. Prince Albert was heavily involved personally in the design and the helmet worn today still bears the Albert pattern.
Younger visitors at the presentation were able to try on the heavy and cumbersome 'Jack boots', both the 'Life guards' and the 'Blues and Royals' tunics, the shiny armour chestplate, the ornate helmets, all part of the magnificent ceremonial uniform.
The Light Dragoon cavalry pattern flintlock pistol and the 1882 Pattern Cavalry sword though heavy particularly took some younger visitors' fancy.
“It was amazing to dress in the uniform, normally in school we only get to read about it, but wearing the uniform made me feel like I was in their place” said 11-year-old Salim from Slough.
Peter Storer, curator at the Household Cavalry Museum said: “It was a very interesting audience with an age range from three to 86 years, we are really happy with how the event went."
The museum is one of Windsor’s hidden gems and although the Household Cavalry left Windsor last year the museum remains at Combermere Barracks in St Leonard's Road and is open by appointment to the public, schools and groups.
The next special heritage event at Busy Buttons will be a visit by the Royal Collection Trust's learning team from Windsor Castle this Sunday, January 19.
Book in advance for these free events at https://www.busybuttons.org/thelittlegreatexhibition
All photographs courtesy of the littleGREATexhibition@BusyButtonsCORE
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here