THE CUMBERLAND AND WESTMORLAND HERALD 28 th October 2006

Boys’ freezing feet prompt new business venture

One of the organisers of the popular Lowther Horse Driving Trials, near Penrith, has developed what are being described as ‘the world’s warmest wellies for kids’. Spurred into action by his twin sons’ cries about freezing feet in traditional wellies, 45 year old Simon Wood set up The Warm Welly Company to sell children’s wellington boots lined with neoprene – the insulating material that keeps scuba divers snug in freezing cold waters.

“After searching for hours on the internet I was amazed that no-one sold them” said Simon, who is assistant director of the Lowther Trials.

So he flew to China, struck a deal with a manufacturer and the first 6,000 pairs arrived at his Hillfield Farm home, near Walton, this week.

Simon, who has twin boys Tom and Archie, two, and daughters Chloe, six and four-year-old Isabel, intends to sell the brightly-coloured wellies through his website www.warmwellies.co.uk.

He said “The boys were with me when I was lambing in the spring and after half an hour they were complaining about cold feet.”

“They had thick socks on but their wellies were hopeless. I felt really guilty because my boots were lined with neoprene and I was as warm as toast. I had to go on a business course and find out all about importing, websites, marketing and PR – but now it’s all systems go.”

The wellies cost £14.99 a pair and come in three bright colours – pink, blue and green. Sizes go up to two, catering for youngsters aged between two and six.

Simon is also looking to develop a range for older children. “I’ve already had parents ringing me up having heard about the wellies on the grapevine,” he said.

His proud children – who are now eagerly looking forward to a cold snap of weather to test their footwear - appear on the company website.

“We had to do the photographs this summer in the middle of a heatwave but the photographer was brilliant. He made it look as if it was really cold and wet and the children had a lot of fun,” added Simon.