Hip hip hair-ray to 30 years of salon
The team at a Paisley hair salon is celebrating 30 years of cuts, blow drys and colour.
Hairstyles may have changed, but Iain Stewart hairdressing has remained on Causeyside Street for the last four decades.
Owner Iain Matheson opened his doors on October 30, 1989 then moved across the road to bigger premises ten years later and has been there ever since.
The team celebrated the milestone with bubbles and cupcakes, as well as special treatments for valued customers.
Iain said: “I would have never thought it’s been 30 years. It’s taken a while for it to sink in.
“It’s been a lot of hard work, a lot of hours.
“Back then you couldn’t get premises anywhere for love nor money, there were so many shops. It was before shopping malls and online.
“You’ve got to move with the times. We’ve revamped our website, we get a lot of drop-ins through the website rather than people walking past.
“When the goalposts move, you’ve got to move with them. We’re proud to still be here and doing well.
“We’ve got customers who have been with us 30 years who are bringing their daughters and granddaughters to us.”
Iain, whose middle name is Stewart, employs a team of ten from senior stylists down to juniors at the busy salon.
They’ve recently renovated the salon to celebrate their milestone birthday.
The 58- year- old said he isn’t hanging up his scissors and hair dryer just yet.
“I can’t believe it’s been 30 years,” he said. “It just snuck up on me, but I’ve no intention of giving it up yet.
“What I’ve learned is that I’m not a quitter. I always say I’m doing a 30-year apprenticeship. You learn something new every day.
“I don’t want to be one of those people who don’t know when to quit but I’m still enjoying it.
“It’s been great serving the people of Paisley.”
Paisley vet Neil McIntosh, of Abbey Veterinary Group, shares his views with you every Thursday.
Today, we hear about how mums go to any lengths to look after their young in the animal world.
I watched a remarkable drama unfold, one unseasonally balmy, calm afternoon last week.
It really wasn’t what I expected.
As I passed a window looking out onto the lawn, I smiled as I saw a tiny baby rabbit playing in front of the diminishing sun.
But then my stomach lurched as an ugly big black crow swooped down onto it and tried to hold it in its claws.
I knew this was nature at its worst, but I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the bunny, who was undoubtedly about to be quickly and ruthlessly dispatched by a sharp blow from a solid, straight beak to the back of its tiny head.
A glimmer of hope occurred as the wee rabbit struggled free momentarily, only for the bird to retrieve its grip.
The end was sickening and inevitable.
Then, with a ferocity and a speed that I just didn’t think possible, an adult rabbit appeared from long grass and ran straight at the crow, knocking it clean over and allowing the youngster to scramble for cover in a stone dyke. I could have cheered. I watched with admiration as the mummy rabbit (for surely, she was) ran at the crow again and again, even jumping onto the dyke to chase him away from her offspring.
Eventually, thoroughly intimidated and chastened, the crow beat a retreat to the top of a telegraph pole, where he sat, with all the ignominy of defeat apparent in his posture.
I do not know if the baby rabbit survived the trauma.
I hope he did. I realised, however, that it was only the deepest of instincts, the protection of one’s young, that gave him a chance of life.
This protective instinct is so strong that neither fear nor pain nor risk nor impossible odds will reduce it.
It is also the reason that I am sporting a rather spectacular bruise on the back of my knee just now.
The damage was caused, not by a macho Rottweiler or German Shepherd, but by a white, fluffy coated Miniature Poodle, who was so incensed at me invading her house to check her two-day old puppies that she chased me back to my car, nipping at every opportunity with a viciousness that is normally absent from her psyche.
So beware indeed all ye who dare to take on the wrath of the mother threatened.
Do not presume your lovely pet bitch will remain so when she is with pup.
Her temperament may change dramatically.
She may not welcome visitors or tolerate interference.
She may use those teeth for more than just eating.
Have care also with the bitch who suffers a false pregnancy.
This hormonal shake-up causes strange things to happen and she too may transform into a raging, fearless being as the protective red mist descends upon her, no matter how inappropriate her maternal instinct may seem.
There are many reasons for recommending neutering and this phenomenon of false pregnancy is undoubtedly one of them.
Underestimate the nature of the mother at your peril.
Back then you couldn’t get premises for love nor money