Derek Parker commutes 90-odd miles so that George Rowe can cut his hair, as he has done for 40 years. That鈥檚 well over a thousand haircuts. Ken Cooper talked to them about their enduring friendship
Derek Parker & George Rowe
(photo by kind permission of The Yorkshire Post) |
Derek Parker makes a 180 mile round trip to have a haircut. That鈥檚 because he lives in Darlington, and George Rowe his barber lives in Hull.
Derek has been having his hair cut by George for 40 years. Wherever he鈥檚 been living he鈥檚 made the journey. Over the years the two have become good friends, and they've come to know each other, and each other鈥檚 families, very well. Derek鈥檚 daughter is a hairdresser but he won鈥檛 let her touch his hair.
George enjoys the fact that Derek is very extroverted and noisy. "He鈥檚 the sort of guy that if you come to work in the morning in a bad mood you鈥檙e glad of him because he just brings you round".
Derek hates his natural curls, and he likes George to cut his hair as short as possible, much as he has done for 40 years. "It鈥檚 always been a ritual, if you like. It鈥檚 always been part of my life, to have my hair cut, and George has always done it. I suppose it鈥檚 like getting up in the morning and cleaning your teeth - you just automatically do it don鈥檛 you?"
When the two first met Derek was 23 and a bricklayer, and George had just done his apprenticeship as a barber. Derek would come off the building site, pedal the bike down to George who鈥檇 cut his hair. George would tidy the salon, and they鈥檇 head off to the Minerva and have a few games of pool (which George always won) and a few drinks. Derek would go back to work and Derek would go home.
Derek and George have shared a good deal over the years, both sad and joyful. "I think we have a little bit more than just a client/hairdresser relationship. I think we do feel if we have problems that we can talk to each other. Derek was very supportive when I was having difficulties accepting my father鈥檚 death. Although Derek is quite outspoken he鈥檚 quite sensitive. The same with some of his problems - he鈥檚 had problems in his life with his marriage. I know when to ask questions and when to shut up".
Both George and Derek (who is now a publican) find that in their respective jobs people do confide in them, and share intimate details of their lives.George: "You get so involved with your clients. People that come in that you鈥檝e known for many years. Then they lose their partners, and you鈥檝e that to cope with that...I鈥檝e been in positions when I鈥檝e had to walk out of the shop into the back to mop my eyes".
