Island Life Magazine Ltd April/May 2010 | Page 156

island business

Island Life - April/May 2010

The value of lessons
Practice makes perfect, as the saying

advice is think seriously about having

goes. Well maybe not perfect,

a few lessons.”

particularly if you fall into my category of

As far as equipment goes Mark

being a bit of a high-handicap golfer.

accepts: “When it comes to buying

But Mark Wright, who has run

clubs people might go on the internet

Westridge Golf Centre since 1993, firmly

and save themselves £20. But you can

believes two factors play an important

come along here and try all the major

part in how much better you can become

brands to see which ones really suit

– lessons and custom club fitting.
Mark has the technology at Westridge
to analyse all types of golf swings – from
the very good to mine! His GASP video

you.
Knocking three shots off a round would
surely provide satisfaction.

“Yes, you have to come in and
spend half an hour, but it will prove

“Our system has cameras so you can

time well spent. It’s a bit like buying a

system, coupled with his trained PGA

analyse head movement etc. Obviously

suit off the peg or going to a bespoke

qualified staff can really help cut out

there are no guarantees, but if you can

tailor, knowing everything is going to fit

those errors.

see the mistakes it is easier to iron them

perfectly.” Westridge Golf Centre:

out. Lots of people come to the driving

Tel: [phone]. (see ad page 10)

Mark says: “Top golfers have their
swing analysed every day, and they are

range and just blast away. They

doing it for a reason. Golf is as important

will spend hundreds of pounds on

off the course as on it when you start.

the range and playing golf, but

You need to prepare properly, and

for some unknown reason appear

then you get more enjoyment out of it.

reluctant to have a lesson. My

Curtains which draw on
experience at Andrea Lesley
Andrea Lesley’s soft furnishings business
has a secret weapon: her husband, Mark.
Mark is a carpenter, who measures and
makes all the pelmets and fits the tracks
for the curtains they make. They now
specialise in heavyweight, interlined,
curtains, measured for the bays of
high-ceilinged houses, and often on
motorised tracks.
“Our clients tell us they feel confident
when they know we’re in control of the
whole job,” says Andrea. “People know
when they see the quality of Mark’s work
that the curtains aren’t going to fall
down!”
Andrea doesn’t like to admit it, but she
is known to be a perfectionist. “I always
hang the curtains myself, because they
need to look right in my eyes as well as
those of the client,” she says. The service
starts with a home visit – anywhere – to
see the existing décor and to measure
up and discuss ideas. “There is no
obligation to order after an initial visit,”
156

she says
reassuringly.
She brings
sample
books, and
will contact her suppliers direct for
anything she feels her client might
like.
The showroom has a wealth of
fabrics to choose from, as well as
wonderful examples of curtains,
upholstery and headboards (all
made to measure by Mark) “It’s a
relaxing place to browse,” she says.
“If people start to get overwhelmed
by the choice I suggest they have a
coffee while I isolate some samples
for them. I can soon tell the sort of
direction they’re thinking in, even if,
sometimes, they’re not sure themselves.
The last thing I want is for choosing
fabric to become a chore.”
Her upholsterer’s many years of
experience shows in his work. And her

seamstresses rise to the occasion every
time: “The more challenging the work,
the better we enjoy it,” she says.
Andrea Lesley Soft Furnishings, Weavers
Yard, Bembridge. Tel: [phone].

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