I was the President of the York Branch of the National Hairdressers' Federation and also their delegate for the Yorkshire Area, which meant going to meetings, educational seminars and conference. The Yorkshire Area hosted the conference in 1986, which occurred every 12 years. I loved organising, so this was a team challenge to show the rest of the UK, what we could do in Harrogate. We provided trips, an 'evening at home' and the Ball. The World Cup team were our guests for the Ball and gave us a demonstration of their skills - This blew my mind as Glen and Julio, who were in the Ladies' team gave a demonstration of skills that I can only describe as 'mind-blowing', what Glen can do with hair and hairpieces can only be described as 'World Class' - he showed the guests skills to be very proud of. At World Class competitions, you have only 7 minutes to dress your 'Day Style' from start to finish and then to present your model for judging. I wanted to learn how to do this, I had competed at Men's area level and I won the North East of England championship as well as Lancashire champion, but I wanted the Ladies skills. At the end of the Demonstrations Trevor Mitchell (who was team manager) announced that all would be welcome to support the team as in September the World Championships was to be held in Verona, Italy.
At our next hairdressing NHF meeting, we put forward the idea of a trip to Verona, to support Glen and Julio as they were from York and active branch members. As usual it was left to me to organise. We had 20 people who showed interest, Christine & Leonore from Lancashire, Joyce Parker and Laurence Bell from Huddersfied plus many more. We stayed in Bardolino at Lake Garda and took the coach to the Competitions in Verona. Wow, Wow, Wow what I saw in the Ladies' Competitions regarding skills, was just unbelievable, hairpieces that were made so that you could not see the start or finish, jewelled pieces, timing, dresses to die for - it was so exciting. The team that really stood out, was the Italian Team, I managed to watch their work from the barrier, which was about 5 feet away, so I did not move until it was finished, Annette and I was speechless with what we saw. The photo below is from the winning team produced by the Italian Team - Wow!!
At our next hairdressing NHF meeting, we put forward the idea of a trip to Verona, to support Glen and Julio as they were from York and active branch members. As usual it was left to me to organise. We had 20 people who showed interest, Christine & Leonore from Lancashire, Joyce Parker and Laurence Bell from Huddersfied plus many more. We stayed in Bardolino at Lake Garda and took the coach to the Competitions in Verona. Wow, Wow, Wow what I saw in the Ladies' Competitions regarding skills, was just unbelievable, hairpieces that were made so that you could not see the start or finish, jewelled pieces, timing, dresses to die for - it was so exciting. The team that really stood out, was the Italian Team, I managed to watch their work from the barrier, which was about 5 feet away, so I did not move until it was finished, Annette and I was speechless with what we saw. The photo below is from the winning team produced by the Italian Team - Wow!!
The men's skills were just as good, but their work was quite solid and boxy, which was traditional competition work, we had a good team and John Wyndham and Trevor Mitchell led the men to medals, which the ladies' team never received any. Simon Constantinou and John Phelps were the real stars of the mens team, John was the most artistic and always produced work 'outside the box', he was the risk-taker, he decided to produce finger waves up the front of his style, this was a first as normal styling was so solid, John won the artisitc medal for this style and celebrated in the way John always did and maybe does now. ....... Sadly I have just heard from my good friend John Wyndham that John Phelps passed away in February 2008...RIP John, I am sure you have them dancing in the aisles 'up there'....
I spoke to Annette (my room mate, friend and confidant) that night and said 'I want to learn world-class styling' and I will be at the next World Championship in four years time, not watching, but as a competitor, that's my goal.........and do you know what? - I was!
