Jason Mansell from Ventnor, Isle of Wight has been steadily building a domiciliary & surgery practice for a little over four years. During the quiet periods he has been lucky enough to learn a valuable new skill.
He was already friends with Kevin Garlic a shoemaker with international recognition, but Kevin introduced Jason to a retired Surgical Fitter (also in Ventnor) who made his first pair of shoes at the age of fourteen! Pete Cortesi made shoes, collars, belts, calipers, etc. for four hospitals in the south of England & ran more than one shoe repair shop for over thirty five years on the island.
Approaching the mature age of eighty eight, Pete (real name Pietro) cannot spend as much time with Jason but has taught him some valuable traditional skills. Bespoke leather insoles & cork-raised soles were Pete's favourite challenges. Pete admits that materials available today are superior to what he was told to use by the NHS.
Jason would like to hear from anybody who needs shoes/boots making for any size or shaped feet.
Other items offered:- Shoes can be modified, for example, from lace-up to velcro.
A range of creams & gel products to relieve friction from under the feet or between the toes.
