Margot's hair salon in Shildon has not only been cutting, perming and blow waving for 60 years, its staff have been raising thousands of pounds for charity as well.

IT'S almost like a social club. At Margot's everyone - staff and customers - is so friendly. They all seem to know each other. There's a cup of coffee while you wait, someone passes a clever little plastic puzzle to test your wits. If you tire of magazines, there's a pile of books in the corner. Oh yes, and they do hair, too.

Margot's in Shildon is 60 years old this week, and they're celebrating their diamond anniversary in sparkling style, with decorations, competitions, fancy dress, photos, party food and even a letter from the Queen. It's the best sort of neighbourhood hairdressers and a world away from self absorbed big city salons, a world away from their prices too - a blow dry at Margot's is £5.50.

The salon was opened in 1947 by Margot Welsh, who ran it until her death in 1982. Thelma Cook was Margot's apprentice, starting more than 40 years ago and has worked there ever since, trying to keep the same friendly atmosphere that Margot created, though much else has changed.

"Hairdressing was very different when I started," says Thelma. "In those days, most people had long hair and we spent a lot of time doing bouffants and beehives, buns and French pleats. Ringlets, too, they were very popular.

"We did perms too, but in those days you'd be all wired up and you sat there all day. And of course it was shampoo and set - all very rigid and lots of those little metal curlers. Not like today when it's all blow drying, much softer, more flattering."

These days, Thelma and her staff are regular visitors to trade fairs and exhibitions, keeping up with the latest techniques and products.

"When I started it was easy. There was only one product and no choice. Now it's changing all the time. Always something new. Lots of different gadgets. Colour is incredibly complicated, a whole science in itself but, of course, it's all a lot more interesting than 40 years ago."

They must have the biggest age range of any hairdressers. Their youngest clients are babes in arms, their oldest is 100.

Some things don't change though.

"Coming to the hairdressers is a treat, a tonic. If you look better, then you feel better. It gives you a boost. And people relax and tell you things. You have to be a good listener.

"Sometimes I think we're almost like psychologists and counsellors, but I'm not a gossip. I just listen.."

They've also raised a tremendous amount of money for charity. Around £20,000 over the years for a huge variety of local organisations. Each Christmas staff get dressed up - Santa's little helpers, panto characters, shepherds. A book of photos reveals them looking fabulously daft in different guises over the years. They've run raffles, domino cards. The library of books and videos in the corner are all for sale for charity. There's always something going on.

All this week they're dressed up in their 1960s gear: mini skirts, stilettos, shift dresses; styles so old that they're back in fashion. There are competitions and quizzes and party food, so that everyone can join in the celebrations.

"We've got some great customers. Without them over the years, we wouldn't be here, so the celebrations are for them as much as us," says Thelma.

And Margot's shows no sign of fading.

"Margot Welsh would never have guessed all those years ago that her salon would reach its diamond year. You never know - it might even get to 100."

Happy Birthday.

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