Welcome to our second Newsletter.I was hoping this was going to be all good news! It nearly is! As you are a valued client we felt that you would like to be kept abreast of the news from all of us here at 1550. As well as finding out about everything we have been up to, there is also news of some special offers, and a discount voucher attached to this newsletter - not bad eh! We hope you enjoy this, please let us know? We’ve all been on a cutting coarse with Andrew Barton of ten years younger fame. We came out with lots of new ideas which we have successfully used on clients. He demonstrated three fashion styles and classic cuts. He said that no salon can stand on fashion aloan without collapsing. He’s right there. He said that all styles can be adapted for all our clientele. We all felt we learnt a lot and most of all we were not behind the times with our styling anyway. But we were refreshed and had been reminded of techniques we'd stopped using. It gives you a buz to be there. hopefully we’ll do salon international this year too. the best salon education of all!
It’s me - the Boss. As we told you last year I had a horrible skiing accident in France back in January 2007. I suffered 5 fractures below my knee, and had a nasty operation to put in 2 plates and 12 screws to hold the whole thing together - horrid!!Rose being Rose, I haven't let this get me down, and I can run for 5 minutes on the tread mill (we’ve now got a complete gym in the conservatory) and I was told I would never be able to run again.Even though my hours had to be reduced, I was back behind the chair, and glad to be there!.Now I feel really guilty about letting you all down again. This time no fault of my own. Having just had my annual holiday at the “Pilton Hilton” for 19 days with Guillian-Barre Syndrome (web site:
http://www.gbs.org.uk/). It started with just having a common tummy bug then a cough. GBS happens to about 1200 people a year in GB. Your immune system fights the bug then has a go at your nervous system because it looks a bit like the bug. I had pins and needles in my feet which I thought was due to my leg and all the rain!! Then in my fingers, maybe PMT and my tongue because of the sore throat. See we’ve always got an answer! Anyway I’m staggering about dropping stuff, with my breathing getting tighter that’s got to be bronchitis hasn’t it? Off we go to Ireland for a long weekend. It was beautiful. Trying to walk arm in arm with Roger over the Burren (It makes me giggle now to think back I was falling all over the place without my beloved at my side) The pain in my back was getting worse by the minute and that’s the truth. It was growing.It started about the size of a golf ball and was now the size of a football. When got back to work I thought maybe I should go to the doctors about the back spasms. He did lots of tests and I’m thinking “I’ve got to that age have I”? Still absolutely ignoring that there is any thing wrong with me. Doctor Bunny says he will ring me tomorrow. He rings, and I’m worse.He says he is going to ring the next day.Anyway, that night, I was in total agony, and having trouble breathing. So my Husband called 999 and I was in hospital for more test and 12 Doctors in all trying to rule out everything from Lymes disease to MS. I thought it was motor neurone once I lost the use of my legs. And I’d only just started to be able to use them again! I had paralysis from the diaphragm upwards including my face.I have never been so scared in my life. Once they had done a lumber punch and a MRI scan I was treated with immunoglobulin intravenously. It is taken from thousands of peoples blood and saved my life so thank you everybody for giving that pint.Anyway you wouldn’t know now that I’d been ill if you hadn't seen me then. At one stage Roger thought he was going to lose me!I’ve now just got a little nerve damage in my back. Things can only improve.But it can hit anyone so get to the doctor before I did and don’t soldier on if you are unwell - please. I have so many people to thank for all their help over my long recovery, but special mention must go to the girls in the Salon who have all worked really hard to fill the huge gap left in my absence.A big big thank you to Sarah for being there when I was at my lowest and Mandy for being Mandy I also want to thank all those lovely clients who sent her good wishes, cards and gifts. The raspberries and clotted cream got things moving. It was all very touching, and helped speed my recovery. I know your loyalty to the girls and the salon has been overwhelming, so thank you, thank you, thank you. It’s me writing this as Roger says it will be good brain training for me because that got nerve damage too.------------------------------------------------------------------Next - Mandy. Mandy has put up with me for 20 years now. I think we might just go on a cruise in 5 years time for our silver - she deserves it. She has just come back from two weeks in Majorca with Andrew and the two boys, James (10 in December) and Charlie (just turned 6) they are all as brown as berries even with factor 30 on. I rang her the night before they went. She was trying to pack, with the help of Charlie, who was so excited seeing there was only one more sleep left. He was running forwards and back with things he just had to take. You’ll have to ask Mandy if she could shut the lid with his army helmet packed! I must have been bad because I had a postcard this year ,the first ever.Last year we said - Mandy says "No more kids" she can't cope with all the English and Maths homework!Well, it’s doing her the power of good with the help of her Ninteno brain training. She was in the salon explaining to a client what a prime number is. She’ll be reciting Pi to 20 places soon.She wants to say thanks to all of you for being so understanding about your appointments! She pulled out all the stops for me and the salon, just as we knew she would. Dear of her.She’s also been trying to swim under water for me. I just think she will have fun playing with the boys. Soon she will have them lined up so she can swim though the tunnel of legs!She will now be working Tuesdays 9:30 to 4:00, and Wednesday and Thursday 9:30 to 2:30.It will be lovely to have her in the salon for the extra hours!
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Now for good old Sarah. Her new baby Kaiden Gilbert (named after his late Great Grandad) is just over 14 months old now. I saw his Great Nan the other day and she said what a great gift of life he was to her. Kaiden had given her a reason to get up in the mornings and something to look forward to since her Gill had sadly passed away. He’s walking, running, skuffing out the tops of new shoes and has a toothy grin to melt even my heart. He is just lovely (and so clean). As you know Sarah's Mum is a registered child minder, so Sarah leaves Kaiden with his Grandma when she is at work on Thursday, and Friday 9:30 to 3:30, and Saturdays 9:00 to 3:00.. We’ve all seen big changes in Sarah since having Kaiden. She’s more confident and more caring - more grown up I suppose. She was lovely anyway but she’s even “more betterer now!” She been back to work since Dec 07and her client column is all but full again with her loyal following of clients and her willingness to do a great job of their hair. Sarah is really enjoying being a mum, but looks forward to the Salon as a bit of a rest! and a chance for some grown-up chat!To save disappointment, book for your appointment early. There;s still room for you.!-------------------------------------------------------------------
Our Hairstylist Lois has been with us now for 14 months. She is a quietly spoken Scot with a charming manner and excellent skills.Lois has already achieved high standards in her NVQ Level 2, and has nearly finished her Level 3. Lois has 4 years experience in hair styling ,just over one with us and 3 with Creations which was down on the Strand. So, if you know anyone who used to go there, you can tell them where to come. REMEMBER when you introduce someone to the salon you get £5.00 off your next appointment as a thank you from 1550. She has built up quite a following. It’s aways nice when a client wants to book with you again, REMEMBER you get £2.00 off your next appointment if you make it in advance whilst your in the salon. She enjoys all aspects of Hair Styling, especially cutting, colouring and perming. She is a wonderful shampooist, and gives a lovely Indian head massage.Lois works Tuesday to Saturday, 9:15 to 5:00.On Wednesdays she is offering a cut & blow or set for £20.00 and a weekly set or blow dry for £8.00.Don’t forget recommend a friend and we will give you £5.00 off your next appointment when you spend over £15.00.Your worth it, and every little helps at the moment! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vanessa is with us on Saturdays. She qualified about 6 or 7 years ago. She then had two little girls and wanted to get back to her beloved hairstyling. Although she has her NVQ2 she has just completed her first year again, and will be starting year two in September. This is giving her confidence and showing her all the new techniques. I take my hat off to her for all the effort she is putting in, she will really know her stuff. So she will be a fully qualified stylist who will be able to do any challenge you give her, she loves doing kiddies too. No sticky sweets though!---------------------------------------------------------------------------
GREAT NEWS - SB (Sara Baker) is back. She is doing one day a week. Sarah’s mum used to own the salon. Sarah has been helping out whilst Mandy and I have been off. She’s been doing a bit of everything since she had her babies now 15 and 10. She’s worked at the college teaching, helped at the children’s school + PTA and hairstyling too, I can’t imagine not ever doing it she says. It will just be like the good old days, very noisy. She’s like the rest of us, love a yarn, and to make you laugh with her stories!---------------------------------------------------------------------------
We have a brand new Stylist with us now. Natalie has her NVQ2 and is going to carry on at collage one day a week to do her level 3.She was awarded Customer Care of the year, so she will be fit in well with us. She’s been we us for a few weeks now and everyone says she lovely! -------------------------------------------------------Finely, Claire. She’s been what I have wanted to turn up on my door stop for years. I don’t like advertising for staff (I’m still looking for another stylist if you hear of one!). I believe if someone wants work they will look for it and be far keener to do a great job.Having graduated from North Devon College she then moved to Kent to further her training. From the 3years she has spent living in Kent she has gained a lot of experience and confidence in the beauty industry. Even though she enjoyed her time on the other side of the country the magic of Barnstaple has drawn her back to her roots. She is looking forward to meeting old friends and clients, and also looking forward to making new ones as well! She has particularly missed her cream teas and Hockins Ice Cream - wouldn’t we all?Claire has given me a waxing, facial and manicure and pedicure, and she is so thorough, and relaxing. You really ought to experience her skills.Claire is offering a pedicure at £15.00 on a Tuesday for OAP’s, you may know of one who might like to make use of this offer to keep their feet in trim at a fraction of the cost of a chiropodist. Don’t forget recommend a friend and we will give you £5.00 off your next appointment when you spend over £15.00.Your worth it, and every little helps at the moment! --------------------------------------------------------Now that things are very nearly back to normal after some pretty trying times, we look forward to seeing old friends once again. It’s been great to see some of you already and it nice to know that you are happy with the other girls looking after you, they are nicer then me anyway.We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your loyal support, and look forward to seeing you again.Please use the £5.00 Off Token at the bottom of the page - our little way of saying -
Thank You!Oh yes
As an introductory offer to Vanessa, SB and Natalie we are offering half price appointments (look at price list enclosed) Don’t forget recommend a friend and we will give you £5.00 off your next appointment when you spend over £15.00.We need to make use of these offers because times are hard out there and I want do my bit to help you all.
