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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Antony Thrower

Excitable US tourist gets souvenir Wigan tattoo to remind her of dream UK trip

A woman on a sightseeing tour of Wigan was so enamoured with the northern town she got a tattoo to remind her of her dream trip.

Kristi Kimmel, from Frederick, Maryland, USA, was visiting friends living in the northern town when they popped into a sweetshop.

As they picked out treats, Kristi spotted the red tin of Uncle Joe's Mint Balls, which she decided straight away to get inked on her right arm.

The image now has pride of place next to other tattoos representing those nearest to her.

Kristi, 48, said: “We came to visit friends in Wigan and my friend, Alice Kinley, took me to a sweet shop.

"The bright red Uncle Joe's tin with a smiling man drew me in. I picked it up and said 'I'm getting this'.

Kristi, with her friend Paul, shows off her impressive sleeve art (Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd)
The logo of Uncle Joe's Mintballs factory, on Kristi's arm (Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd)

"She told me that they are made in Wigan and Wigan is known around the world for this candy.

"She went on to say that they've been around over 100 years. That made me love them even more.

"When we came home, I put that happy tin with all my memories on a shelf in my kitchen where I could see it every day. People would ask about it and I enjoyed telling the story.

"When I decided to start a sleeve tattoo I wanted to include things that mean a lot to me. I got the idea to include something to represent Wigan and our treasured friends and Uncle Joe's Mint Balls was perfect.

"I told Alice my idea and she said her nephew had a similar tattoo."

Kristi later visited Uncle Joe's Sweet Factory, and was given a tour as well as some gifts (Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd)

Kristi, an avid traveller, has visited places across America, as well as the Dominican Republic and Morocco - but Wigan is the only place she has a tattoo of.

On her last visit to Wigan last month, Kristi went to take pictures of the Uncle Joe's factory and was invited inside for a tour.

When staff found out about her tattoo she was presented with an Uncle Joe's T-shirt and a small book telling the story of how the sweets were first made and how the company has grown.

Kristi added: "I brought home a bunch of tins. I put one on my station at work and can now tell the incredible story of going to the factory and meeting everyone.

"There are many great places in the world but Wigan is a wonderful town."

Joint Managing Directors of Uncle Joe's, John Winnard MBE and Antony Winnard, said: "We were delighted to find out why Kristi wanted to visit our factory and honoured that she chose our logo to represent the warm and friendly welcomed which she received in Wigan.

"The town is sometimes looked upon unfavourably, usually by people who have never been, but we think it is the best place in the world.

“We're simply delighted Kirsti agrees.”

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