Beard today, gone tomorrow!
IN ALL of his nine years, Jamie Anderson had never seen his dad Jack without a beard – until Saturday.
‘ Eeeewwww, Dad, you’re gonnae grow it back!’ was the verdict.
Jack, from Oban, was in the barber’s chair at Spruce on George Street, in the capable hands of Carron MacPhee for the charity shave; half the money is going to Movember, which supports men’s health charities and the other half is staying nearer to home, with the HCPT Group 43, the local branch of the Hospice House Children’s Pilgrimage Trust, which helps to send children with special needs to Lourdes.
Jack, aged 33, works for BT as a fibre- optic engineer in the town.
‘ I’ve had a beard for ever, ever since I could grow one and I’ve been letting this grow bushy for the last two-anda-half months,’ said Jack. He couldn’t go completely bare-faced. He kept his moustache.
Carron, who trained at the Scottish School of Barbering in Glasgow, first trimmed down Jack’s beard and then gave a traditional
shave with hot towels, oil massage and a cutthroat razor, a popular treatment at Spruce; owner Elaine Smith and her team will celebrate the business’s second anniversary next month. Originally opened as a barber’s shop, they now have a large number of female clients as well.
Jack’s brother-in-law Brian Collins came along to give his support and ended up in the barber’s chair as well. Brian is the group leader for HCPT 43.
Jack said: ‘ We are looking for more volunteers to help on our visits, and to hear from families with children with special needs who would like to go to Lourdes.
‘ We are also hosting a fashion show at M and Co in the town on November 13 and the shop is offering a special discount for the night.’
Elaine and her team also have a charity event coming soon – a Ladies Day at The Bay Great Western Hotel, Oban, on Sunday November 22, as part of the Oban Winter Festival Event, offering hair, beauty and fashion; the day will raise money for Lupus UK.