Valued Forth Valley College hairdressing customer Rita Stewart picked up the scissors herself recently to officially open the new Falkirk Campus salon.
The sprightly 77 year-old from Falkirk – who has been visiting the old Falkirk Campus training salon for more than 12 years to get her hair styled – cut a ribbon to symbolically open the state-of-the-art new facility on Friday 17 January.
The loyal customer always brings in a packet of biscuits each time she attends for an appointment, and is so well thought of by the lecturing staff and students, that she has her own personal mug in the salon, with her name and information on exactly how she likes her coffee!
Mrs Stewart, whose favourite style is the perm, is well known for keeping all the trainee hairdressers on their toes. She said: “I half-jokingly expressed an interest in opening the new campus salon during one of my final appointments at the old salon and true to their word they have invited me to do just that!
“I really like the atmosphere in the college salon. I really think this building is very impressive, though might be a bit too modern for me. They are all lovely lassies in here and I like having a blether with them and it is very sociable. Though I do make sure to keep them on their toes.”
Hairdressing Lecturer Nicky MacKenzie, said: “It was always a pleasure to welcome Mrs Stewart to the previous salon and we look forward to welcoming her twice a week to the new salon.
“We were delighted to invite her to cut the ribbon as she is a valued loyal client and is very good with the students. She keeps them right if they are not doing something the proper way and will give them a wee row if they come in late and that is exactly what they need sometimes.”
Colleague May Tennant, added: “Mrs Stewart is lovely and a real character and we can’t thank her enough for coming along to cut the ribbon to symbolically open the new salon. We think it was only fitting for one of our most loyal customers to do the honours and to launch the new salon on its journey to teach the next generation of hairdressers.
“Mrs Stewart has been so accommodating and flexible with us over the years, in relation to supporting the students with their formative and summative practical assessments. Her name appears over and over again in all the students’ portfolios. She has been brilliant.”
