International Women’s Day

Lucy Kershaw, Customer Services Coordinator

How long have you been at Tusting?

I have now been at  Tusting  for just over 5 years, I am the Customer Services Coordinator which I have been doing for a little more than a year.

What does your role entail?

First thing in the morning, I’ll come in, check my emails and make a coffee. I deal with all customer enquires – such as repairs, bespoke items, processing orders and embossing. It’s also my job to keep the showroom looking beautiful. I really enjoy sale days because I get to meet customers and provide proper one-on-one customer service.

What woman inspires you?

My sister decided in her adult life to pursue her dream career of becoming a midwife. She has three children and after the birth of her third son she went back to college to do her GCSE’s and got into nursing. She has been a midwife for around 6 years now so she’s an inspiration to me because she is proof that it’s never too late to follow your dreams, whether your 20 or 40, you can still do it.

Lesley Chaplin, Head Edge Painter

How long have you been at Tusting?

I was originally a bench-worker for 8 years, and then I took over the role of edge painter following my mother’s retirement, which I have been doing for around 8 years or so.

What does your role entail?

I stain the cut edges of leather pattern pieces for leather bags. It’s a very messy job and requires a very steady hand but it makes them look nice and neat. I also use the buffing machine to smooth the fibres of the leather.

Do you have a woman that inspires you?

My mum inspires me as she has been through a lot. We lost our dad in September and she was diagnosed with breast cancer in October. She doesn’t take any medicine for her pain and she puts up with a lot. I wish I could be like that. She worked at  Tusting until she was 70 and she said if she could still do it now, she’d love to come back.

Lesley Slaven, Flat Bed Machinist

How long have you been at Tusting?

I started here around 26 years ago, and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.

What does your role entail?

I am one of a team that works on the ‘flat bedding’ which means all the pattern pieces come to us flat and we put these components together to create the main sections of the item. That makes them more manageable for the stitchers to make up into the final finished bag.

What woman inspires you?

That would have to be both my mum and my nan. They learnt to make do and mend, no waste and no airs and graces, they were just who they were, and I’d say that their ways have been passed on throughout the whole family.