Barber set to wave goodbye (From Gazette Series)

Barber set to wave goodbye

10:13am Friday 1st September 2006 in

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HALF a century of men's hairdressing in the same Thornbury shop is coming to an end for barber Tony Iles.

The 67-year-old is set to hang his scissors on the hook and close the door for the last time at his traditional barber shop at The Plain.

"Thornbury has been pretty kind to me but it's time to do something else," said Tony, 68 who lives in Buckover. "I have lots of interests outside of work - restoring old cars, golf, bowls. One thing is certain- I won't be bored."

Eric was born over the shop - a barber's since Victorian times - when his father Bert Iles was running the business.

"Dad came to Thornbury in 1931 from Gloucester where his dad was also a barber," said Tony. "I just sort of fell into the business and became dad's apprentice. I had my scissors with me even during my National Service in the RAF. I used to cut the officers' hair and earned a few bob extra."

Tony - who has two daughters and four grandchildren - said he would miss all his customers.

"I've known a few since they were youngsters, of course. Thornbury has more barbers and hairdressers now than it has probably ever had but for a while I practically had the place to myself. Those were the days when we charged a shilling for a haircut. It's #10 now."

The only time when trade was a little thin was in the 1960s when men started to wear their hair long.

"As soon as TV newsreaders started showing their ears again I knew I'd be all right," said Tony.

As for the old shop, it won't be a question of "hair today, gone tomorrow".

All being well, the premises are set to become a ladies and unisex hairdressing salon.