AN ISLE of Wight hairdresser is celebrating an incredible milestone – 55 uninterrupted years in the profession.

Tracey Squibb, of Newport, decided she wanted to be a hairdresser when she was just seven years old and never wavered.

She started her training at 15; a three-year apprenticeship in Cowes.

The 70-year-old went on to cut hair on the Royal Yacht Britannia in 1971.

“It used to come to Cowes every year,” said Tracey.

“I was 18 and cut the hair of ladies in waiting who used to go to Cowes Week balls.”

Isle of Wight County Press: Left, Tracey Squibb, Vicky Downer, Tara Hayward and Leah Cowling. Right, Tracey's World Championships British Team badge.Left, Tracey Squibb, Vicky Downer, Tara Hayward and Leah Cowling. Right, Tracey's World Championships British Team badge. (Image: Tracey Squibb.)

By 1976, Tracey was entering and winning hairdressing competitions on the mainland, and travelling all over Britain.

In 1979, she was then asked to go and train with the British World Cup hairdressing team, and would often travel to London to train with the squad, which comprised around ten women from all over the country.

She was soon selected to represent Britain at the European Championships in Amsterdam and Brussels.

That was in 1981, and in 1982, she travelled to Paris – to again represent Britain.

In 1993, Tracey moved to Upper St James' Street and opened her own salon, Hair Leaders.

Over the years, she has trained a lot of girls and a few boys, and is keen to thank the loyalty of her staff over the years.

Among them is Vicky Downer, who has been at the salon for 22 years, Tara Haywood, who has been working with Tracey for 16 years, and Leah Cowling, who has been a mainstay at the salon for seven years.

“They have all helped make the salon what it is today,” said Tracey.

“It been 55 years continuous; I never stopped to have children, or anything like that.

“Now I treat it like a hobby. I still cut hair two and half days a week, and it's about getting the balance right between my time and work time.

“I’d also like to thank all my clients over the years for their loyalty and support.

“For a couple of women, I’m the only hairdresser they have ever had.

“Some, I’ve been cutting since they were in high school, and now they’re in their 50s.

“I reckon I’ve got quite a few years left in me yet. I’m not looking to retire any time soon.

“I would do it all over again, if I had my time back.

“It’s a lovely trade to be in.”