YEOVIL NEWS: Former Preston School student hopes to win Great British Sewing Bee contest

YEOVIL NEWS: Former Preston School student hopes to win Great British Sewing Bee contest

FORMER Preston School students in Yeovil - who found themselves watching the opening episode of this year’s Great British Sewing Bee contest on TV earlier this week - suddenly sat up and took more interest when they noticed one of their old classmates on screen.

Members of Preston’s Class of 1987 – meaning they will be coming up next year to their 30th anniversary of leaving the school – have been busily discussing on social media the opening show of the latest series of the sewing competition on BBC2 on Monday (May 16, 2016) evening.

There were plenty of “is it him?” questions posted on Facebook by former classmates of Jamie Bowring – who impressed judges on the show with his opening demonstration of sewing skills.

Jamie, who now lives in Exeter where he is a house-husband and looking after deaf son Harry, said: “Sewing is in the blood - growing up with my gran who worked hand-sewing gloves for a local gloving company,

“I grew up with sewing machines and needles and pins all around me,” he said.YEOVIL NEWS: Former Preston School student hopes to win Great British Sewing Bee contest Photo 2

PHOTO – TOP: Former Preston School student Jamie Bowring is a contestant on this year’s Great British Sewing Bee contest on TV.

PHOTO – RIGHT: Jamie Bowring at a Preston School 25-year anniversary for the Class of 1987.

The Great British Sewing Bee is now in its eight series - hosted by Claudia Winkleman and under the scrutiny of Savile Row’s Patrick Grant and Central St Martin’s Esme Young – where amateur sewers have to show off their skills and make various garments.

Jamie did well in the opening round of this year’s competition on Monday which sees each episode culminate in a contestant being eliminated. He is now one of nine home sewers left in the competition.

Even though his surname was never mentioned in the programme Jamie’s old schoolmates quickly recognised him – especially as he had attended a 25-year school anniversary a few years ago.

Jamie had been a teacher at a school for students with special educational needs. However, after his son Harry was born deaf, Jamie decided to become a stay at home dad. Jamie now has more time to devote to his sewing and has been improving his skills while Harry sleeps.

Jamie’s biography on the BBC website said: “With a love of fashion, Jamie enjoys mixing his modern style with traditional sewing and tailoring techniques that were taught to him by his grandmother when he was a child.

“Jamie has maintained his skills by reading up on traditional sewing techniques in books that he’s tracked down in charity shops, furthering his need to understand correct way to do things.

“Jamie finds inspiration from living in the countryside, and enjoys making country attire such as tweed jackets, wool coats and flat caps.”

Little did Jamie realise that he has now got an army of fans from his former Preston School classmates all hoping he goes on to win the competition.

YEOVIL NEWS: Former Preston School student hopes to win Great British Sewing Bee contest Photo 1

PHOTO – ABOVE: Good luck Jamie Bowring on The Great British Sewing Bee.

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