Tony hangs up scissors after 40 years

Leading stylist hangs up scissors after 40 years

One of Lancashire’s best-known hair salon bosses has announced he is hanging up his scissors next year.

Tony Winder surprised guests at Antony and Patricia’s 40th anniversary party when he announced that he is taking a step back from the cutting edge at his Rawtenstall salon in February next year.

Tony’s final day snipping hair will be Saturday 6th February – the day before he celebrates his 63rd birthday. On his last morning in the salon he will be auctioning his final 10 haircuts to the highest bidders, and all the proceeds will be donated to charity.

Says Tony: “I want to do something memorable on my last day on the shop floor, to celebrate the success I’ve enjoyed. Although I’m expecting to get quite emotional, I’m hoping it will be enjoyable and we can raise some vital funds for a local charity.

“In the past 40 years I have worked with some great people and built up valuable friendships with many of my customers. Hairdressing has been in my family for so long, my late sister Margaret ran her own salon in Haslingden and worked with me for a few years, and my step-daughter Dominique is a senior stylist at Toni & Guy in Manchester so I’m sure I’ll find it tough when I’m faced with my last customer in the chair.

“Although I won’t be cutting hair I will continue to manage the business side of the salon with Manageress Tracy Collinge.”

Tony, who opened the Bank Street salon when he was just 22, adds: “I’m lucky that I have such a dedicated team, including Tracy and my wife and business partner Karina, who I know will continue to deliver the service that has made Antony and Patricia such a success since we first opened. Development of our staff has always been a big part of what Antony and Patricia stands for, which is why so many have gone on to become successful elsewhere.”

Over the years, Tony has trained more than 300 hairdressers – including Freddie Cunliffe, owner of fellow Bank Street salon Freddie’s and the late Chris Moffatt, who owned Waterfoot salon Headmasters.

He may be hanging his clippers up, but there’s little chance of Tony putting his feet up since taking on the role of the Valley’s local county councillor earlier this year.

“It has been difficult juggling hairdressing with my political work. Within weeks of being elected I was appointed Chair of the Corporate Parenting Board, It is therefore vitally important that the 1200 children and young people looked after by the council, leave our care with a sense of achievement, looking forward to a future where they will be valued citizens who are economically independent and able to contribute positively to the neighbourhoods and communities in which they live, I am looking forward to having more time to concentrate on meeting and listening to our looked after children.

Antony and Patricia opened the doors to its first home in Newchurch Road, back in 1969, before Tony and then partner Patricia moved the salon to Bank Street, three years later. It has since become a Rawtenstall institution, serving clients across the Valley and from all across the North West.

September 15, 2009

Alder Grange sixth form parking issues

There have been a few developments on the parking issues surrounding Alder Grange’s new sixth form. I have spoken to many of you about it over the past few weeks who have expressed your concerns so it was great to see more than 150 residents turn up to the public meeting at the school.

Whilst I am 100 percent behind the educational needs of the school, there are traffic management issues which need to be addressed. Burnley Road is heavily congested in the mornings, with a backlog of traffic to Crawshawbooth so action needs to be taken. The public concerns have been reported to the County Council Senior Traffic Officer, who has been asked to revisit the recommendations for the school. I am working hard to ensure these issues can be resolved because a sixth form would be a great addition to the school. I will keep you posted on the progress.

Rawtenstall bus interchange proposal

The bus station in Rawtenstall has been in need of a revamp for such a long time so I’m sure many of you will be pleased at the proposals for a new interchange centre.

The public will have the chance to meet with county council officials and address the needs and its location. It might be that its existing location needs is not the most suitable place for it to remain. A clear parking plan needs to be implemented so bus stops cited around the town centre are accessible. I’m hoping we the link with East Lancashire Railway, and the route to Manchester’s Victoria Station can be reopened. I know there are many of you who travel to and from Manchester, so setting up a park and ride system would really benefit the town. We need a better parking plan in place, to cut down on traffic congestion and pollution.

Antony and Patricia’s 40^th anniversary

Most of you will know it’s the salon’s 40^th anniversary coming up and I’ve been busy organising a special celebration party for all my friends, clients and staff, past and present. It’s being held on Saturday 17 October at St James the Less from 7.30pm. I would be delighted to see so many old faces who used to work in either the Rawtenstall or Burnley salons reunite for the occasion. I’ve got lots of entertainment planned and there’s even going to be a few surprise awards! If you haven’t picked up your ticket please call into the salon or give Romana or Karina a ring on 01706 217129.

August 13

What a busy month it’s been! I’ve got lots to update since the last time I blogged.

In my last blog I brought you the news that I’d been made Chair of the Corporate Parenting Board for Lancashire and I’ve been extremely busy preparing for my new role. I’ve attended several briefing meetings already with senior officers and I’m due to have the first official meeting in a September. I’m really looking forward to getting stuck into the role – which is ultimately to look after the needs of children in care and seek the same outcomes any good parents would want for their child.

One of the Conservative pledges was to generate more funding to protect children at risk and to improve the lives of those in care – and I’m delighted to reveal that an additional £5m has been granted to allow us to do this. I will keep you updated as and when things develop.

I’ve been pleased that many of you have approached me about issues that you have been concerned about because being accessible and approachable was one of the promises I made, and I don’t want to let people down. Highways and adult social care seem to have arisen the most, which I will do my best to push forward. I do not intend to hold surgeries at the moment, as I have found I am readily accessible at the salon on Bank St, if you do want to see me, please ring 01706 217129 or 07771338892 to make an appointment to ensure I am available.

Many people have voiced their concerns over the proposed Alder Grange High Schools Sixth Form and how this will affect the traffic and parking issues. The highways issues certainly need to be addressed, as many of you who do the school run or live nearby will no doubt already experience traffic mayhem in the area!

It would be a shame however if we didn’t welcome such a great addition to the local area – as it will provide 300 pupils the chance to carry on with their education.  I will certainly pledge to do as much as possible to make sure these concerns are addressed.

The first Lancashire Local meeting has taken place this month. Five councillors from Rossendale Council and five County Councillors who represent Rossendale get together and discuss the needs of their local community and make sure the right services are delivered to you, particularly addressing those of great concern, including highways and transport. These meetings can impact on how the Council is influenced and shaped. This first meeting centred round Local Democracy Week and getting young people involved in it – something I am very keen to do.

I am also on the Standards Committee and Overview and Scrutiny Committees for Communities. I had a trip down to Birmingham to attend a conference for the Corporate Parenting Board, which I found really productive. 

Thursday 2nd July

Wow, its been such a busy few weeks since the elections I’ve barely had time to stop, so apologies for not being able to blog any sooner!

I have got lots to fill you in on though. Since the elections I’ve had my induction training with all the other new county councillors, I’ve met the senior directors and had vital IT training. 

I’m thrilled to have been given extra responsibility as I’ve been made Chairman of the Corporate Parenting board, which means I’m responsible for dealing with issues such as parenting, fostering and adoption across Lancashire. It was a very pleasant surprise as I wasn’t expecting to be given such a high-profile position already, but it’s a challenge I welcome wholeheartedly and I hope with my experience working as a magistrate I will be able to make a difference. 

I’ve also taken a seat on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Standards Committee which will no doubt keep me busy. 

Almost straight away, people have been approaching me about issues they are concerned about and I’ve got stuck into each of them. I’ve always vowed to be an accessible councillor and I don’t want to let anyone down.

This week I attended a forward planning meeting for the future of Crawshawbooth, Goodshaw and Loveclough. However, it didn’t quite go to plan. I was very disappointed at how badly organised the meeting was - the location was far too small and there were too many people. Unfortunately we couldn’t go ahead with the meeting and have now rescheduled for another time, in a more suitable location. I will keep you updated.

I did also manage to take a few days off and travel down to Wimbledon with Karina and my daughter. We had fantastic seats in Centre Court and witnessed Andy Murray win the second round. The atmosphere was incredible and it was exactly what I needed after the elections. I’m still waking up at 5am every morning like I was during the campaigning! 

Two weeks have passed since the local elections, and I'm still overwhelmed by all the support I received. I would like to thank everyone who voted for me and to all those involved in the election campaign. Clive Balchin my campaign manager has been a magnificent support and I could not have done it without him. I am extremely grateful to all the Win With Winder team who campaigned tirelessly.

And finally to all the other candidates, in particular Hazel Harding who has been a dedicated and committed councillor for both the local and the county council for 24 years. Despite our different views, I do not doubt the hard work she has put in over the years.

All politicians at every level will have to do their utmost to win back the trust of the public. Each of us who has been elected will have to prove we are worthy of the votes we have received.

The expenses scandal has knocked everyone’s confidence in the democratic system. During the campaign it was the only topic I heard on the doorstep as I visited people’s homes.

We are living through a watershed time. Trust is the cornerstone of democracy. Without trust in elected councillors, we have nothing. 

I’m not claiming to be a saint, but I do promise to do my absolute best to serve the public and make a positive contribution to our local community. People have voted for me because I am a local person who they can trust. It’s up to us to wipe the slate clean and put the scandal behind us, but we will have to work very hard to do so.

I will continue to campaign on the issues I have been working on including the school bus service which will benefit children, schools and parents, as well as fighting for improvements to highways, care of the elderly and activities for youngsters.

Above all I want to be a councillor who is accessible and available when people need me. I want to make a positive contribution and change things for the better for everyone.