Goodbye Marilyn

She retires this weekend from the salon she took over in 1979, and enjoyed for almost three decades, and finds the toughest part is saying goodbye to her clients.

Marilyn, now 62, said: "People keep asking me if I'm excited, but it has been quite emotional. The clients are more like friends now, and there have been tears and hugs.

"It has been difficult to tell the clients I am going after all this time. Most of them have become friends.

"It is the end of an era - and the start of a new life."

Marilyn is planning now to spend time with husband Alan at home in Wealden Way in Little Common, and concentrate on her interests such as needlework, tapestry, her association with LCB Players and also the singing group Harmony, of which she has been a member for 10 years.

She was born in Sidcup and began training as a hairdresser when she was just 15 and working in a salon at 17.

"I have been in hairdressing ever since. I love the job - it is so rewarding. We are like doctors really, because there are so many confidences you know you cannot break. We are counsellors, hairdressers, comforters...And we have had lots of fun over the years."

She bought the business in the town centre from Peter Warwick who stayed on to work with her at Hair By Marilyn for a couple of years.

"We had a lot of laughs - he was a great character and very theatrical."

She inherited clients from him including one who has been having her hair done at the salon for 36 years, and since has looked after many loyal customers of her own - one lady who moved to Edinburgh travelled down to Bexhill just to get her highlights done.

"We must be doing something right. I think you have to be very caring to be in this job. My main concern about selling up was finding someone to look after my clients. They like continuity and they think of you as their pal. For some of them it is the only trip out during the week.

They have got a circle of friends in the salon, they see the same faces every week and have a chat - it is all very friendly.

"It is still a busy salon...I have been very lucky with my staff - they have stayed with me a long time, one has been there 26 years, another 19 and another 17, which says something.

"I would like to wish the new owners every success in their new venture - and Tasha will still be here so there will be a familiar face - and I would also like to thank the customers past and present for their loyalty and custom over the years."