A LOVE of the countryside and the great outdoors are just a couple of the many things Nick and Aimee Wilford have in common. The childhood sweethearts, who grew up in North Yorkshire villages less than five miles apart, first met and fell in love as teenagers when they both worked at the same hotel. Now they share a family home in North Cowton with their daughters, four-year-old Freya and 18-month-old Connie, their beloved three-legged Labrador Olly and the three family cats.

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Nick Wilford

The young couple also recently went into business together, opening Wilfords of Leyburn, which specialises in high-quality country clothing.

“We looked closely at different locations and Leyburn had many attractions,” says Nick. “We were very impressed by the number of independent retailers in the town, and the special events it holds each year, such as the food festival and the 1940s weekend. This, combined with the location and the tourist trade, made it the ideal choice.” Given their outdoorsy lifestyle, the country, leisure and shooting market seemed an obvious choice. “Aimee and her mother Yvonne can usually both be found out riding – along with an array of animals – on the family farm. I enjoy shooting, game or clay, but don’t get the chance to shoot as much as I would like,” says Nick.

Both sports require warm, weather-proof, hard-wearing clothing, so the couple know their market from first-hand experience.

Wilfords stocks exclusive ranges from Holland Cooper, Ansarino and Frimble, as well as Hawick Knitwear, Alan Paine, Oakman, Toggi, Musto, House of Cheviot and Deerhunter. “All our tweed clothes are made in the UK,” says Nick.

One notable item on the website is a stylish ladies’ poachers coat that retails for more than £500, but Nick says his customers will fork out for something well-made that will last for years.

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Frimble tweed jacket and shooting gear by Holland Cooper

“The range from Holland Cooper includes a few items priced above £500,” he says. “For this you get an exclusive item, available only at a handful of stockists in the UK, including Harrods and Donna Ida of Belgravia. Each item is made from the finest Scottish tweed, hand-cut and hand-tailored in the UK by the expert team at Holland Cooper.”

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Aimee: The Holland Cooper biker jacket in Wax. “It can be worn in many different ways and
is very warm.” (£499)

Nick is also excited to be working with the high-end, innovative brand Ansarino. “Previously Ansarino has only been available by appointment and by invitation, so it is very exciting to embrace such a luxury, yet practical brand and give it a presence on the high street,” says Nick.

The Wilfords pride themselves on stocking ranges that are produced in the UK: the tweed jackets are tailored from British tweed; all the Hawick knitwear is made in Scotland from 100 per cent Scottish wool.

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A Hawick lambswool jumper, perfect for chilly days. (£64.99)

“The tweed range is fairly timeless and very versatile. And it lasts for years,” says Nick.

Despite their love of rural pursuits, the couple are not completely wedded to their country togs.

“Aimee and I both enjoy nothing more than kicking off the wellies and getting dressed up for hunt balls and evenings out, or just an evening out with friends at the local,” says Nick. “We are so happy to live in such a beautiful part of the world. You have to stop and remind yourself how lovely it is sometimes.”

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Ansarino tweed coat dress

Wilfords of Leyburn,
14 Market Place, Leyburn,
North Yorkshire, DL8 5BG.
T: 01969-622213
W: wilfordsofleyburn.com