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Helen's aim is high with fashionable leather work
10:00am Monday 24th November 2008

By Mike Pryce »

from: http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/features/countrynews/lateststory/3871873.Helen_s_aim_is_high_with_fashionable_leather_work/

FASHION isn’t usually the first thing associated with shooting, but for Helen Leedham, the shooting industry is the catwalk for her business.

Because the 27-year-old from Cookley, near Kidderminster, has turned her training as a saddler into making bespoke leather items for high society or the Highlands.

Whether it’s for a day on the grouse moors or Pimms in a polo marquee on Smith’s Lawn, Helen’s work is catching the eye.

So much so, the Worcestershire entrepreneur has been chosen as one of the Countryside Alliance’s Shooting Stars, a national campaign that focuses on young people who have bucked the trend of youth exodus from the countryside because of their passion for the rural life and in particular the employment opportunities offered by the shooting industry.

Clare Rowson, Midlands regional director of the Countryside Alliance (CA), said: “The latest government figures show that 400,000 fewer young people live in the countryside now compared with 20 years ago.

“This worrying trend of rural emigration threatens the future diversity and sustainability of rural communities across England and Wales. But not every young person is leaving for life in the city, because some industries still play an important part in retaining young people in rural areas and shooting is a major one. It contributes £1.6 billion to the UK economy and supports around 70,000 jobs.”

Helen grew up with horses and country sports and decided on a career in saddlery. After completing a fine art degree at Bristol University, she set her sights on creating superior quality products for the saddlery and shooting industries.

She said: “I’ve used saddles and gun equipment all my life but I always thought designs could be improved, which is why I wanted to learn to make my own.”

Helen completed a course in bridle, saddle and harnessmaking at Walsall College, West Midlands. She is now a registered saddler and on her way to becoming a master saddler.

Her introduction to the shooting industry came through a teacher at the college, who was a patternmaker for the famous gun company Purdey.

Helen said: “The company needed hand-stitching completed for cartridge bags and I was one of the students given the chance to demonstrate my skills.”

This experience was the platform from which Helen launched her career. She now works part-time for the prestigious Westley Richards gun company in Birmingham and has also started her own business, Helen Leedham Bespoke Saddlery Products.

She produces a range of standard leather shooting accessories such as gunslips and game bags, but from timeto- time gets unusual requests such as a recent one for a gunslip made from alligator skin. While this is not your average order, clients are still willing to pay up to £5,000 for a custom-made accessory and then there are her stylish handbags, purses and wallets.

Based in a workshop at the back of her father’s house in Cookley, Helen’s typical week involves working on her orders and saddlery repairs in addition to commuting to Birmingham for her work at Westley Richards.

She said: “My working life is quite hectic but I get a huge amount of job satisfaction.

There’s nothing like seeing a customer’s face light-up when they see their new bespoke product.”

Helen’s reputation for quality is spreading, but she admits marketing her business relies on word of mouth because she doesn’t have the resources available to let larger firms know about her work.

She said: “I’ve made good contacts with local shoots, but the best advertising comes from the shooters themselves, who often travel about the country and are asked where they bought their latest purchases.”

Helen is backing the Countryside Alliance in its campaign for more affordable rural housing because she believes cottage industries like her own are often more viable in rural areas.

“House prices are out of reach at the moment but I’m hoping my business success gives me the income to be able to buy one day,” she added.

However, with the shooting season well underway Helen is looking forward to creating more masterpieces for an industry that allows her to live and work where her heart is – in rural Worcestershire.