A 75-YEAR-OLD Neston woman is celebrating her 60th year as a hairdresser.

Val Hatton (nee Leadbetter) left school at 15 years old and took on an apprenticeship with Dene Oxton at Dene’s on February 6 1963.

Initially, her jobs were washing the salon steps each morning, cleaning ashtrays, sweeping floors and washing the rollers.

She worked in the salon with Joyce Ryan, Elaine Smith, Gill Smith and Betty Ellison. Gill and Betty trained her to become a stylist.

In 1965 Val moved to Dene’s other salon on Chester Road, Salon Dene, and has remained there ever since.

Dene, unfortunately, became ill and so Val bought the shop from her in March 1970. She has owned the salon ever since and has always had loyal staff and customers.

Wirral Globe:

Along with training in the salon, Val went to Carlett Park to achieve her City & Guilds qualifications in Hairdressing and she also attended Well College in Liverpool for colour training.

She also used to make her own wigs and hair pieces and during the 60’s and was a beauty queen who won competitions as Miss Heswall, Miss New Brighton and Miss Isle of Mann.  

Speaking to the Globe about her mum, Victoria Hatton-Moore, who also works at the salon said: "Over the past 12 months mum has experienced health issues which have kept her from the salon for some periods of time however she is feeling much better now and is back in the shop, where she loves to be.  

"The customers are all very pleased to see her back as some of them have been her clients for as long as she has been hairdressing."

In 2017 Val was also awarded the Longstanding Business Award by the Neston District Chamber of Trade.

Wirral Globe:

Victoria added: "Family is everything to mum. She has been married to Bill for 52 years and has three daughters Jackie, Jeanette and myself. She also has two son-in-laws, Mark and Simon and two granddaughters, Amelia and Betsy.

"She also supports and helps with a lot of charity work. Particularly Alder Hey and she is a member of the Neston Ladies Club committee. You will always see her in the parade - she never misses it. 

"We are all incredibly proud of mum's achievements. She is still very passionate about hairdressing, and loves chatting with her clients and meeting new ones.  

"She has no plans to retire anytime soon, although we as a family would like her to slow down a bit!"

Victoria said that she thinks her mum would "like to thank her clients for their continuous support and friendship."