In pictures: Eco-friendly baby clothes and toy shop My First Steps opens in Lee-on-the-Solent
Joe Buncle
·3-min read
Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage officially opened My First Steps, an environmentally friendly children's clothes and toy shop in Lee-on-the-Solent High Street, on Thursday, September 7. Pictured is: (l-r) Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage and Jan Coupe. Picture: Sarah Standing (070923-8214)
My First Steps opened at 2A Milvil Road, Lee-on-the-Solent, on Thursday, September 7 and the occassion was marked with a visit from Gospoer MP Dame Caroline Dineage. Owner Jan Coupe first became interested in children’s clothing after exploring which fabrics were suitable for her grandsons, who have eczema. She now stocks a variety of organic clothes for children aged four and below, from brands like Pigeon Organics, Ducky Zebra and Little Green Radicals.
Speaking at the shop’s official launch, Jan Coupe said: “I just looked into why different things affected their skin, and a lot of it was to do with colours and things that were in clothing. I started to look at organic clothing, because everything in organic clothing is natural – that’s why we stock organic.
We try to be as eco-friendly as we can. I think it’s the way forward for the world. We all need to think about how to be ethical, I think we all need to be more eco-friendly.
Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage officially opened My First Steps, an environmentally friendly children's clothes and toy shop in Lee-on-the-Solent High Street, on Thursday, September 7.Picture: Sarah Standing
All of the cotton products sold at My First Steps are certified by GOTS – the global organic textiles standard. The shop also stocks a range of toys made from sustainable wood and paper.
Jan added: “We had a smaller shop and we decided we could offer more choice in a bigger store. We love the communityy in Lee - everyone is so friendly.”
You can find out more about the shop by visiting the My First Steps Facebook page. Here are nine pictures from the shop’s opening.
Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage officially opened My First Steps, an environmentally friendly children's clothes and toy shop in Lee-on-the-Solent High Street, on Thursday, September 7. Pictured is: Owner Jan Coupe. Picture: Sarah Standing (070923-8206)
Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage officially opened My First Steps, an environmentally friendly children's clothes and toy shop in Lee-on-the-Solent High Street, on Thursday, September 7.Picture: Sarah Standing
Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage officially opened My First Steps, an environmentally friendly children's clothes and toy shop in Lee-on-the-Solent High Street, on Thursday, September 7. Pictured is: (second left) Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage with owners Alan and Jan Coupe and (right) Cllr. John Gledhill for Lee West Ward. Picture: Sarah Standing (070923-8223)
Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage officially opened My First Steps, an environmentally friendly children's clothes and toy shop in Lee-on-the-Solent High Street, on Thursday, September 7. Picture: Sarah Standing (070923-8226)
Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage officially opened My First Steps, an environmentally friendly children's clothes and toy shop in Lee-on-the-Solent High Street, on Thursday, September 7. Pictured is: My First Steps are the only ones in Hampshire to stock Ducky Zebra clothing. Picture: Sarah Standing (070923-8232)
Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage officially opened My First Steps, an environmentally friendly children's clothes and toy shop in Lee-on-the-Solent High Street, on Thursday, September 7. Pictured is: Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage made the first purchase at the opening. Picture: Sarah Standing (070923-8228)
Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage officially opened My First Steps, an environmentally friendly children's clothes and toy shop in Lee-on-the-Solent High Street, on Thursday, September 7.Picture: Sarah Standing
A couple who quit the UK to retire early in Lanzarote say they are now "living the dream" mortgage-free in the sun. Helen and Stephen Walker decided to take the plunge after a horrid year in which three people close to them died. They quit their property business, sold their three-bed semi in Cosby, Leics., and relocated to Yaiza, a town on the Canary island. Helen, 56, and Stephen, 55, are now financially free and spend their days exploring and relaxing. They say they'd never have been able to retire in the UK at their age - but life is much cheaper in Lanzarote. Helen said: “We’re living the dream. We never got a break at home. “We could never afford to take early retirement in the UK." Helen and Stephen rarely went on holiday as they were self-employed. And, even when they were away, they’d be answering phone calls and messages. But one year Helen convinced Stephen to come away on holiday to Lanzarote 0 and they fell in love with the place. She said: “We came to Lanzarote and loved it so much. “We were walking straight out to sea and he turned around and said 'I could live here'. “I said I could live here as well.” With Brexit in motion, Helen and Stephen then had to act fast if they wanted their dream to become a reality. They became more determined to go for it after losing three friends and family members in one year. Helen said: “We lost three people in that year. We thought 'We need to do it now. “We can’t think about the kids here – we’re going before grandchildren. Otherwise we’d never do it.” They found it hard to leave their children behind but their youngest daughter, Kate Walker, now 22, went to live with their son James Sorrell, 29. Helen said: “We put the house on the market. “In December 2019 we travelled all down the island looking at where we wanted to live. “We found a newbuild in Yaiza and thought ‘this is the place’.” The couple sold their UK home for £225k, and bought the three-bedroom Lanzarote property for £220k. They moved out in January 2020 and purchased the empty property in February – before lockdown hit in March. Helen said: “Luckily we had the kitchen done before lockdown.”. The pair have since spent around €40k renovating their home in Lanzarote – and have no mortgage and low bills. They were shedding out £650-a-month on a mortgage, and £230 for their gas, electric and water bills in the UK. Helen said: “There’s no mortgage and no finance. It’s a lot cheaper here to live. I could never retire in the UK.” The retired couple spend their days going on walks around the island, going for a coffee and lunch together and having chilled evenings in front of the TV. They go out for food or drinks when friends are visiting and around once a week together. Helen said: “Our fitness is fantastic. We do 8,000 to 10,000 steps a day. “We travel around the island. We can travel from one end of the island to the other in 45 minutes. “My view is the Timanfaya national park. The language barrier is a problem sometimes but we’re learning Spanish.” Helen has “no regrets” but does miss her kids. She said: “It’s just lovely but I miss my children. Taking my kids to the airport after a visit is the hardest thing. “I cry and cry. But we’re only a four hour flight away.” Helen said Lanzarote has now become a home for the couple. She said: “We’re never bored. There’s always something to do. This is my home.”
Patrick Cantlay's caddie Joe LaCava apologised to Rory McIlroy before Sunday's Ryder Cup singles for his behaviour on Saturday which enraged the European star, according to US media reports.The American had also brushed off media reports that he was protesting against the lack of pay for players at the Ryder Cup by not wearing a cap.
