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Hair habit
Secrets exchanged between stylist and client in the hair salon are sacrosanct.
The hairdresser's chair is the preening parlour equivalent of the confessional where an unspoken code of conduct allows customers to emotionally let their hair down.
That's why, even in a recession, so many women refuse to skimp on their weekly hair-do.
They look forward to seeing their stylist who they also regard as confidante and friend.
"I tell Paul everything, things I wouldn't even share with my best friend," admits Sandra Bebbington who never misses her rendezvous with Paul Fenton at David Maria, Highcross, Poulton.
"I used to come here every Friday when I was younger, because we would go out at the weekend, but now I am older weekends are less important and I vary the day a bit, just to fool them," said Sandra, 64, a retired medical secretary.
"Paul and I talk about everything, we have the same wicked sense of humour. There's nothing I wouldn't share with him. He's seen me through the bad times as well as the good," said Sandra, who welcomed Paul's caring counsel when her husband, John, died 10 years ago.
"Coming here is like a tonic. I can feel a bit depressed when I come in, but after an hour with Paul I go out on a high!
"Sometimes, though, I feel drained because I have laughed so much.
"We have such fun with all the staff here, they're like my adopted family," added Sandra of Moorland Road, Poulton.
"I get a bit cross when Paul goes on holiday. I think he should ask my permission! When I go away, I always send him a postcard and bring him a present back."
Her weekly hair-do might be a religion, but her styles aren't stuck in a time warp. "I have had a lot of different styles over the years, sometimes I'll cut out a picture of Victoria Beckham out of a magazine and ask him to copy it. He just tells me he's not a miracle worker!"
Paul, who lives in Poulton, has worked at David Maria for 29 years and most of his clients are weekly regulars – some sticking to the traditional shampoo and set.
"I look forward to seeing my weekly customers. I've been with them through births, marriages and deaths. I was brought up to treat people like you would want to be treated yourself and that's what it is all about. They are more like friends than clients.
"They know they can tell me anything and it won't go any further. Some have, even the most intimate details of their lives!"
Anne Smith has a shampoo and blow dry twice a week, and looks forward to the chance to sit back, relax, and have a chat with stylist Anton Barber.
"I've been coming here or more than 20 years, always to Anton, on Tuesdays and Fridays. I can't do my hair properly myself!"
Anne, who with her husband opened and for many years ran Singleton Lodge Hotel, welcomed the chance to relax when she was working. Now retired, with the hotel in the capable hands of son, Mark, Anne still enjoys the sheer indulgence of having her hair done for her.
It's Anton who shares his problems with Anne. "He's had more than I have, so I have been counsellor to him," said Anne, delighted that he is now happily settled down with wife Stacy and son, Ross, at their home in West Park Drive, Blackpool.
"I have changed styles over the years," she said "but Anton has changed his hair more than me."
A big football fan, he has educated her on the finer points of the game.
"I really enjoy coming here and look and feel better when I leave," added Anne.
Full-time mum of two, Amanda Hage of Staining makes time for her weekly trip to the salon. "I'm here every Friday, for a wash and blow dry and then I have my colour done every six weeks. I like to make the most of myself and it's lovely in here. Everyone from the juniors through to David is great."
She discovered David Maria by chance when a friend passed on a gift token for a cut and style. "My hairdresser had just moved at the time and this was just the best thing that could have happened."
Melanie Etchells, 39, of Hambleton is her stylist. "We get on so well. She is a super hairdresser," said Amanda "We have a really good chat, and sometimes send the odd text each other in between appointments.
"We get on really well and talk through our problems together," added Amanda, married to Mark and mum to Hugh, 14, and Lewis, 12.
Melanie, mum to Scarlett, 10, said "We talk about food, which restaurants we've been to, and our social lives."
Melanie said: "Amanda and I have a lot in common, it's nice to have a good gossip."
Melanie, who has been at David Maria for 20 years, says that the weekly hair-do is a real tonic.
"For some of our older clients we may be the only people they get to have a really good talk to every week."
Proprietor David Woods who opened the salon in 1966, still has some clients who have been going there for for 43 years.
"They are almost like family members after all this time. We have been lucky in having loyal and skilled stylists - many who started with us from school and have been here for 20 and even 30 years."
"Apart from a good hairstyle, many regular clients come for a chat.
Stylists Paul and Anton are our resident comedians and get up some hilarious tricks.
"Hairstylists need a general knowledge so they can discuss everything from politics to showbiz gossip.
"They act as confidente counsellor and friend while giving a good hair service.
"There are things a client will tell their stylist that they wouldn't even tell their partner. We have even had doctors' recommending patients to us at times of stress!"
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Weather for Blackpool
Wednesday 30 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 12 C to 20 C
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