Stylist celebrates 60 years at Tarring salon

An open day was held at Salon 128, in South Street, Tarring, on Friday and customers who have known Jean over the years were treated to celebratory cakes.

Jean, 79, from Lancing, owned the salon until five years ago, when Sue Cassey bought it, retaining all the stylists working there.

Jean had started there at the age of 19 as a first-year improver, having done a four-year apprenticeship in Goring.

“I have loved every minute,” she said. “I have always been happy here. I have loved my job, I love my girls, I just wish I had my husband here to see it.”

Jean and Roy Hallford were married at St Andrew’s Church in Tarring 54 years ago but he died about 13 years ago. She has also lost her twin brother David.

“Mum and Dad brought us down during the war after they were bombed in London,” said Jean.

“My mum was a typical mum at home. I have lost quite a few people. The salon has kept me going.

“I wanted to be a nurse to begin with but that didn’t take off. I wanted to be a stylist from the age of 13 and if it wasn’t hair, I would have been a beautician.”

Jean used to practise on her dad and joked that he used to go to the office ‘looking like a rat’.

Since then, she has built a band of loyal customers and is now cutting the hair of women whose mums were also her customers.