A CHARFIELD man has been cutting the hair of Wickwar Social Club members for the past 50 years.

Viv Bateman, 86, known in the area for his farming and cider making, is a life member of Wickwar Social Club, joining in 1954.

Since then he has been regularly cutting the members’ hair and sharing a pint with the customers who have over time become his friends.

During the period that Denis and Ethel Fitzgibbons were steward and stewardess of the club they would regularly visit Mr Bateman’s house to have their Denis and their son’s hair cut.

On one of these visits the couple suggested he come to the club and cut the men’s hair – and a tradition which has now lasted 50 years was begun.

In the early days Mr Bateman used to ride his pushbike from Charfield to Wickwar, where he would cut hair for a sixpence.

Member Merv Pollard said: "When Viv at first visited the club it was a real asset to a lot of the older gentleman as they did not have transport to get out of the village - and with no barbers in Wickwar it was a real service."

Now he visits every first Wednesday of the month with the same leather case he was given when he started cutting hair.

He also buys all his customers a drink – as well as having one himself to get him through the cutting.

Mr Bateman recalls moving all around the club in the time he has spent there. Even during quiz nights and busy evenings he can still be found tucked away in a corner cutting his regulars’ hair.

The committee and members feel very privileged that he still comes over every month without fail and hope his health continues to enable him to do so.

The social club recognised this milestone with a presentation on Wednesday, November 5.

Mr Bateman said: "I had an unforgettable night at the Club and really appreciated what the Social Club had done."