Entrepreneur making something new out of those discarded clothes

Jill Govier has launched JayGo Touchy Feely Textiles with the help of business support programme Enterprising Barnsley.

She uses recycled clothing, vintage bedding, old jumpers and new textiles to create craft work.

Her products range from purses and key rings to cushions and handbags. Each item includes a quotation from a favourite song or film.

Ms Govier said: “I find if I take a quote out of the context it was used in originally it adds a different slant.”

Now aged 50, Ms Govier left school at 16 with no qualifications and went to work in the local sewing factory. Twenty years later she decided to study for an arts degree and teaching certificate. She taught art at Priory School in Lundwood for four years, but then packed up her belongings and travelled around the world. She crossed America, and also called in at Fiji, Malaysia, Thailand and Australia.

On returning home she received help from Genesis, which helps new businesses to establish a base in Barnsley.

Genesis is part of Enterprising Barnsley, a programme which helps firms with the potential for rapid growth.