A Warrington seamstress is celebrating 20 years of stitching and sewing at the region’s popular theme park, Gulliver’s World.
Carol Newton, 61, from Warrington, has worked at Gulliver’s since 2002, creating numerous staff uniforms and standout entertainment costumes as well as upholstery and furnishings for Gulliver’s resorts across the UK.
Prior to working at Gulliver’s, Carol worked as an assistant, hemming shirts, and then got married and raised four children whilst her husband worked for Gulliver’s as a manager. In 2002, Gulliver’s needed extra help in the sewing department and Carol came to work on a part time basis at the theme park which led to full time when the other seamstress retired.
Carol said: “My first day at Gulliver’s was spent getting the team uniform ready and sewing hundreds of red stripes on the sides of the trousers! But since then, I have gone on to be involved in so much across all the resorts. This includes making curtains, cushions, bed runners, costumes and carrying out repairs on all costumes and uniform. I also work across all four Gulliver’s sites in the UK so it can be pretty full on!
“Over the last 20 years, I have improved on my own sewing skills and learnt to adapt to working within different departments within the business so it really has been an adventure. It’s been the most fun job I’ve ever had!
“I enjoy working on the various projects and that every day something different comes along. I love making the costumes for the pantomimes and Christmas shows, such as the Dame costumes, and adding the finishing touches like gems and embellishments to the outfits, so they stand out on stage.
“I was asked to make some fairy dresses for one of our new experiences which was such fun. I also really enjoyed making a transforming dress for Cinderella as during the pantomime Cinderella spins and her dress magically transforms from rags to her beautiful ball gown. It was a challenge to figure out how to do it, but it moved me to tears when I saw it in action and heard the gasps from the audience.
“I am currently making curtains for our resort in Milton Keynes and when they are finished, I will be making costumes for our Easter events. I have 20 years and counting of lovely memories here to look back on.”
Craig Clews, resort director at Gulliver’s World, said: “Carol is an absolutely credit to our team and I don’t know what we’d do without her. All our entertainment costumes and outfits have been made by Carol in recent years so our guests may not know it, but her seamstress skills and talent are always on show for all to see! She does such an amazing job and is always there when needed.
“We are like one big family here at Gulliver’s and Carol is such an important part of that and has been for 20 years so we just want to congratulate her for reaching that milestone. We are currently looking for more staff in all areas of our business and Carol is a great example of someone who takes pride in her work, has developed a career for herself here at Gulliver’s and is just going from strength-to-strength. Thank you Carol for all you do!”