69 years is only a snip
Billy Bennett, 82, from Ystrad-Mynach, who started work as barbers apprentice at 14, opened up his own barbers shop on September 9, 1953, simply calling it Billy Bennett’s. He paid just 12 pounds and 6 pence per month in rent, and now he is retiring.
Mr Bennett said:
”I am a bit sad now and if I had my time over I would do it all again, I have just really enjoyed being part of this community for all these years and just cutting peoples hair how they like it.”
For the last 15 year Mr Bennett has been helped out in the afternoons by his daughter Trudy Howell, 60 and the business has continued to thrive under his steady hand. But as he is shortly due to turn 83 he has decided he should spend his leisure time now with his wife Remo, or Betty as she is affectionately known.
” There have been big changes over the last sixty years in this town, there used to only one or two shops, myself and a café but now it is a busy little place with more shops and houses going up and it has expanded much further out.
” I remember the first day I opened the shop, I had bought my barber chairs for £1 each. Now some of the children who’s hair I cut that first day are now my oldest customers and they can remember sitting in here when they were that small.
” There has not been a thing changed in my shop for 57 years, it’s a traditional barbers shop, and it is the same today as it was when I first opened.” He said.
Mr Bennett has also enjoyed certain hair style periods better than other over the years, leading to the business going through some tough times in the late 1960’s thanks to a certain band from Liverpool.
” When the Beatles became really popular in 1968 everyone started to grow their hair long and it was bad for business, even my older customers started to grow their long and it really was difficult, but I kept going and short hair came back in. I have seen styles come in and go out over the years, my enjoyment has always come from giving people what they want.”
Huw Lloyd, a long-standing customer of Billy Bennett’s, said:
” Billy is a great guy and he really deserves recognition for his achievement and what a strong part of our community he his. Everyone knows him here and I will be in his shop tomorrow to get my very last hair cut from him.”
Mr Bennett said:
” I have lost a lot of customers over the years as they have passed away or moved out of the town but I have also gained so many. I really have had a good run but I think I have had enough now and it is time to stop.
” I would like to thank all my customers over the years for coming to my shop, I will miss it but think its about time I took a rest.”
