You're hired!
KISS-me-quick hats, saucy seaside postcards and a plethora of tacky souvenirs might not be everyone's cup of tea when they go shopping for presents on holiday.
Well three Hayling entrepreneurs might not be in Apprentice star Alan Sugar's league when it comes to drumming up high-powered marketing and business plans – but they might just have hit on an idea to give visitors a happy memory of Hayling.
Many tourism bosses are expecting a renaissance this summer for many UK resorts which have been down on their luck as hard-up holidaymakers forsake a foreign holiday because of the recession – and revisit some holiday destinations from their childhood.
Well Hayling's retailers have some new souvenirs to sell this summer – artist Simon Evans has dreamed up a whole collection of modern interpretations of the old-fashioned postcard – featuring some of the Island's famous landmarks.
And retired businesswoman Mary Jane Lomer – who has been suffering from pulmonary hypertension decided to turn her hobby of creating tea towels into a nice little earner for her favourite charity.
Mary Jane, who retired to Hayling in 2001 after living in Rowlands Castle for 38 years explained: "I decided to design a pictorial tea towel of Hayling Island, a holiday destination which holds many happy memories for past visitors and is a lovely place to live.
"I had a great time re-discovering parts of Hayling and meeting people along the way, to return home to collapse with my drawings!
"The PHA benefits financially from the sale of every tea towel and I have approached various outlets on Hayling Island who have agreed to sell them."
The tea towels normally sell for 5.99 – retailers can order them in batches of 20 for just 3.50.
Pulmonary hypertension is caused by high blood pressure in the lungs and is a rare incurable disease.
The pulmonary arteries become thickened, placing a strain on the heart as it pumps blood and oxygen round the body - causing chronic fatigue and breathlessness, which is helped only by rest and medication.
Mary Jane had always been short of breathe but soon found herself unable to walk far, climb the stairs or do normal everyday things.
It took two years to diagnose her condition and finally she was referred to a London Hospital - part of a countrywide net providing the National Pulmonary Hypertension Service.
Mary Jane added: "The team I am under are amazing and it is with their care that I am now able to live as normal a life as possible.
"I am on oxygen at night and a selection of drugs."
There are about four new cases per million of population every year and another 12 to 15 cases per million people who have the disease at any time.
There are a large number of causes of pulmonary hypertension, and hereditary reasons have been shown to be important in some cases.
It is hard to diagnose and does affect all ages. Some patients do not react well to the medication and lose their battle with life.
However, due to fantastic drugs now available, many people after being diagnosed, like Mary, are able to live a quiet and fulfilling life.
Orders can be sent to Mrs Mary Jane Lomer, Lomer Enterprises, 2 Wight View, Bembridge Drive, Hayling Island. Cheques for orders should be made payable to her and can either be collected or delivered locally.
Enquires can also be made through the Terractotta Pot Shop at Eastoke Corner on 9263 7590 or be emailing sales@theterracottapotshop.co.uk
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Weather for Hayling
Sunday 05 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North west
