Welcome to your local community website...
Hairdressing award for novice Northwood snipper
AN AMATEUR hairdresser won a national award less than year after first picking up her scissors.
Northwood student Deborah Keogh, 36, decided on a career change last summer but never imagined that in just nine months she'd win a gold medal in a UK-wide hairdressing competition.
The prize was a double success for her family as the 1920s-style 'hair-up' design was modelled on step-daughter Rebekah Keogh, 17.
Mrs Keogh, of Murray Road, said the success came as a complete surprise. "I was over the moon, you couldn't knock me down with a feather," she told the Gazette.
"I started the course at College of North West London in Wembley last September. I had been looking after my husband who was ill but I wanted to get back into work.
"I had been working in admin all my life but a friend suggested I try hairdressing so I just went for it. I had only ever really done my own hair before.
"I am quite arty so that helped, but it is quite extraordinary."
Mrs Keogh's winning style was carefully crafted using hair pins, to give a classic wavy effect.
"The 1920s style is very in-vogue at the moment so that helped. I chose the dress for Rebekah to wear as well but it is mostly down to the haircut.
"She looked stunning, everything had to be perfectly placed."
Mrs Keogh initially won a regional round of the Association of Hairdressers and Therapists (AHT) competition, for those with less than three years' experience, before being invited to Blackpool for the national final.
There, she won gold and a cheque for £100.
She said: "I promised Rebekah that if I won, I'd share the money with her but it is more about the achievement of it."
However, before she can dream of setting up her own salon, Mrs Keogh still has another year of her course to complete.
We'd like to hear from you. Send your stories, pics and videos
Older/Newer
« Grandchildren take 10,000ft plunge with grandma's ashes | Hope for future of hospital »
I don't even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good. I do not know who you are but certainly you're going to a famous blogger if you aren't already ;) Cheers!