Mrs T visits the ‘jeanius’ people

Tory leader Mrs Margaret Thatcher went home with four unexpected presents for her son and daughter last week—two pairs of jeans, a sweatshirt for Mark and a T-shirt for Carol.

The MP for Finchley and Friern Barnet received them on a visit to the head office of Falmer's—Britain's number one jean makers in Northway House, High Road, Whetstone.

There she saw what she described as “the classic success story of a small business started 15 years ago which has grown to provide employment and exports.”

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Mrs. Thatcher was shown around the pattern room, where she met the designers of the three million pairs of jeans which are sold a year; and the showroom where she was shown the latest designs by chairman and managing director Mr Alan Landau and sales manager Mr Charles Shaw.

Models Sue Bishop and Liz Field showed Mrs Thatcher, who was dressed traditionally in a lime green two-piece suit with printed silk shirt, the latest styles in jeans and accessories—the jackets and T-shirts in red, white and blue.

She admired a pair of velvet jeans and was surprised when Mr Landau presented her with jeans for her children.

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The company have three factories in Great Britain. The administration, design and sales work is carried out at Whetstone, where they have been for six years. They are the only denim manufacturers in this country and their slogan is “The best of British jeanius.”

Falmers employ more than 1,000 people and, according to Mrs Thatcher, their labour relations are very happy.

“We could do with a lot more people like this who work happily, do well for Britain and, because they make a good profit, help to finance the welfare state.” said Mrs Thatcher.