FORMER K Shoes workers and their families are being asked to check in their sheds, attics and garages for shoe-making treasures, reports Michaela Robinson-Tate.

The appeal has been made by those behind plans to develop a 5,000 sq feet heritage centre, which will have a starring role at the newly rebuilt K Village.

They are hoping that some historical riches might be discovered that former workers would be prepared to lend or donate to the centre.

One such donation has recently been made to the K Shoes Kendal collection, which has been gradually assembled by Jonathan Somervell, who is a member of the family which founded the famous company.

The family of the late George Fishwick has handed over, in his memory, his shoe repairer's workbench and tools.

Mr Fishwick, who came from a farming background, was born in 1920 and joined K Shoes when he left school.

He rose to be finishing department foreman of women's shoes at Netherfield, and retired in 1982.

Mr Fishwick, who died in 2003, was for many years also a part-time shoe-making teacher at Kendal College, working closely with Ronnie McAllister and others, and teaching City and Guilds qualifications.

He had learned hand shoemaking in the RAF during the war at Leicester, where he was drafted to the RAF footwear repair unit because of his shoe-making experience.

The bench previously belonged to a neighbour, who is thought to have given it to Mr Fishwick in the 1950s.

Mr Somervell said that typical tools and materials on the bench - together with the heavy cast iron repairer's lasts - included leather soles; heel top-pieces and steel tips; a ball of stitching thread; wax; needles and waxed thread; stitching awl and leather palm; wire leather roughener; stitch marking wheel; bunking wheel; edge and smoothing irons with waxes; clicking knife; hand punch; tack knife; and hammer.

Mr Somervell said: "George kept his bench in his garden shed. What have you got in your shed, attic or garage?"

To loan or donate an item to the new K Shoes heritage centre, or to share information, contact Michaela Robinson-Tate at The Westmorland Gazette or Jonathan Somervell on 01539-821325.

Look out for a forthcoming K Shoes Reunited feature on a missing plan of the K Shoes site, which was discovered in an attic, and some photographic memories of the K Shoes fete.