Jean Meredith, well-known and much-loved in the community of Radstock, has retired from hairdressing after 53 years of dedicated service to the town.

She told The Journal: “It was really hard to come to terms with it, and not a decision that I took lightly, but I needed to do it.”

Known to most, Jean’s Hairdresser’s has been at the hub of the community for over 24 years. She says: “I have the same customers that I had 53 years ago!

“I even have three generations of families whose hair I was cutting until I retired. It has been a real honour to say that I have been able to do so.

“In my previous hairdresser’s of 25 years, I brought my children in and sat them in a play pen whilst I cut my customers’ hair.

“Other people soon caught on, and started bringing their children to play with mine whilst they went out shopping. It was so nice that people trusted and knew me enough to do this.”

It is clear that Jean’s presence within the community has not gone unnoticed, as two years ago, she received a BEM from the Queen for dedicating her life, when she wasn’t working, to raising money for local charities by running. Something that Jean and her husband, of 54 years, have been doing together since their early thirties.

Jean has raised an incredible £120,000 so far for various local charities and aims to continue to do so in her retirement.

“The shop and its customers have felt like family over the years, and that is exactly how I wanted it to be when I first started out.

“I just want to thank everyone for being so generous; it has been an absolute pleasure, and I have loved every minute of it. God bless you all for being so amazing over the years – it is lovely to consider you all as my friends.”