Meet the lady who loves socking it to us
Margaret Wyllie has been socking it to us for 20 years and intends to go on blessing thousands of feet worldwide – including those of actress Sally Phillips (right) who opened CRE National 2018.
The idea for Holy Socks came to Margaret ‘in a wee place called Skelmorlie’ but it was several years before this determined lady, from Newton Stewart in Dumfries and Galloway, finally found a manufacturer.
‘Our first six designs were, aptly, made by a company called Angell Hosiery Ltd!’ she recalled. Jonah in the Whale, Daniel with the Lions and the Loaves and Fishes are still among the most popular products. Their ‘Not a pair of socks’ range is appreciated by customers with a sense of humour. Pharaoh’s Cows, with seven ‘well favoured’ on one sock and seven ‘ill favoured’ on the other, was the first – ‘Sheep and Goats following on, naturally!’
‘We like to have a range of serious, funny and “in the middle” subjects but always with a story, poem or meditation which carries the good news of Jesus,’ said Margaret. ‘Then there’s the Good News Sock which we’re bringing to CRE Midlands.’
The company first exhibited at CRE in Edinburgh and the event has played a big part in Holy Socks’ first two decades.
‘It’s always enjoyable to meet people and hear why they are buying our products – and who for!’ said Margaret.
Her footwear has been sported in Mongolia, Brazil, on the top of Kilimanjaro and by cyclists in Iona and the Arctic Circle. ‘Our kilt socks have even been to Russia, New Zealand, Tasmania, Canada and India,’ said Margaret. ‘But then, getting around is natural for socks, isn’t it?’
• Holy Socks are on stand E16 at CRE Midlands 2020
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