Saints legend Matt Le Tissier and the Teddy Bear ladies from the Repair Shop open Oakhaven’s Home & Craft shop on St Thomas Street, Lymington

A HUGE crowd turned out to see Saints legend Matt Le Tissier and the “Teddy Bear Ladies” from The Repair Shop open Oakhaven’s new crafting store.

Shoppers formed a huge queue down St Thomas Street well before the shop, Oakhaven Home and Craft, was officially opened by the trio with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Julie Tatchell and Amanda Middleditch are well known for their teddy bear and soft toy restoration skills, appearing on BBC show The Repair Shop

The event was meaningful for Amanda, who revealed: “My grandfather was in a hospice, where he received such wonderful care.

“They created such a lovely environment, and he was so happy there. Whatever he wanted he could have and they made him feel so at home and comfortable.

“It just drew my attention to how important hospices are, so we are more than delighted to be here today.”

Julie said she and Amanda were regular customers at the previous smaller crafting shop Oakhaven ran in the town.

“We were always buying things there,” she said. “They had such great vintage stuff like toy patterns, clothes patterns, lace and ribbon. Some of the things we found were just beautiful, and many were of the era that we were repairing on the show, or for our company Bear it In Mind.

“It is so nice as well to be able to give something a new life. Everyone knows a sewing box is years in the making. It’s often passed on from a grandmother, then from a mother to a daughter.

“Then when there is no one to pass it on to, it ends up somewhere like this and we are just in our elements finding really lovely things we can use.”

Teddy bears, haberdashery, dress fabrics, sewing machines, knitting wool, needles, ribbon, sequins and bows were just of the items on offer.

There was also a whole host of specialised crafting gear on the shelves, including ink stamps, candle making, tapestry, and wooden house-making kits.

The store also stocks electric goods, china, glass and kitchen equipment.

Former footballer Le Tissier was impressed by a display of vintage Saints memorabilia, including football shirts, boots, scarves and programmes.

He said: “It is really fantastic – such a nice thing to see. The whole shop is great, there is so much here.”

Le Tissier revealed that he was introduced to Oakhaven by late Lymington businessman Leon Crouch, who was a lifelong Saints supporter and chair of the club at one time.

Leon died in Oakhaven in 2019.

Le Tissier said: “Leon was a huge supporter of Oakhaven for many years and he recruited me to play in the fundraising golf days he held for the charity.

“Through that and other events I have learned how important they are for so many people. They provide a vital service and, of course, at a time when the government is slashing their funding they need as much support as possible, which is why I am so pleased to be here.”