SHORT BACK AND SIDES PLEASE
Given that many of us have not been out and about much in
the last six months, it is hardly surprising that when attending virtual
meetings we have seen both men and women looking, shall we say, increasingly in
need of a little grooming!
Starting with a short, neat, cropped style at the beginning
of the year, my hair was certainly looking rather unkempt and becoming
increasingly unmanageable.
As I have been shielding, I have been very reluctant to
resume any activities that might involve me in close contact with the general
public.
My regular hairdresser, Hebron, on East Street, Ilminster,
naturally keen to recoup some of the business they had lost during lockdown,
contacted me in August. At the time I was not quite ready for such public
exposure, but in September I spoke to Claire Wheatley, who has been doing my
hair for over 20 years. She was very reassuring in explaining the measures she had
put in place to ensure customer safety, and also suggested that I might feel
more comfortable if she was able to arrange for me to be in a private room.
With the added incentive to be a ‘model’ enabling one of her trainees to
‘practice’ on me, I decided to give it a go. I have been a model at Hebron on a
number of occasions over the years, and well remember a vibrant orange perm. I
have also been bald on two occasions, once as a result of chemo., and a second
time for charity. It is very liberating. One of the lessons I have learnt is
that no matter what the result, it is only hair, and will always grow back!
On arrival at the salon I was confronted with a barrier to
entry, my temperature was taken, and my personal details noted in case the need
should arise for ‘track and trace’. My personal possessions were put into a
separate bag, and I was assured that towels and robes were washed after every
use. With this level of efficiency and caution I felt confident in having my
locks shorn. Under the supervision of Kelly, Sophie then gave me one of the
best cuts I have ever had. Two hours later (no cups of tea at the moment sadly
but water and orange juice were available for a small charge) I came out
looking like a different person!
All of our local businesses have suffered dreadfully as a
result of the pandemic and if we want to keep our communities thriving we must
be prepared to venture out and support them, albeit with concern for our safety
and welfare.
Linda Piggott-Vijeh
Combe St. Nicholas
