Hats for hire

From the Swindon Advertiser, first published Tuesday 31st Jan 2006.

Infant teacher Kathryn Courage has given up the classroom for the world of fashion so she can help her mother Joan Pressley run her internationally renowned hat hire business in Devizes.

No wedding is complete without the bride's and bridegroom's mothers wearing a creation from Mrs Pressley's shop in the 16th century buildings of St John's Alley.

Joan stresses she is not about to retire any time soon, but Katheryn will be ready to step into her shoes when she finally does.

Katheryn said: "Many people have hats that have been bought for one special occasion and then not brought out for years, by which time they are in need of some tender, loving care."

Katheryn can now guarantee to carry out alterations to primp up the chapeau and trim it to match whatever outfit the owner will be wearing.

She said: "We can make it fit and make it comfortable to wear.

"Many people only wear hats at special occasions and then spend the whole time wishing they could take it off."

Although the business sends hats all over the world, including Australia and the US, and for all occasions most recently Royal Ascot at York their main staple is providing hats for weddings.

Here their expertise, experience and skill come to the fore.

Katheryn said: "The mothers of both bride and groom are always anxious about looking their best on their daughter's or son's biggest day.

"We can put their mind to rest and make sure they are going to look terrific."

The Pressley clan is now looking at welcoming its fourth generation into the business.

Joan's late mother, Olive Cooper, used to help out, even though she was in her 80s.

And now Katheryn's daughter Harriet, a pupil at Devizes School, also lends a hand with the needle and thread.

Joan and Katheryn created a special hat for Harriet when she went to Ascot recently and her picture appeared in national newspapers and magazines.

Joan set up her hat business nearly 20 years ago from a hobby that became an obsession.

Now it has become a family firm with a rosy future and the world beating a path to its door.

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