A Valued Barber from Sicily: Un Prezioso Barbiere Siciliano

By Michael J Flagg

This is the fourth book published by Michael J Flagg and focuses on the life and work of a Sicilian hairdresser in London, spanning over fifty-five years and continued today by his son Jack. It also includes fascinating historical and cultural information about the largest island in the Mediterranean, th

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michael J Flagg
• Release date: Feb 10, 2022
• ISBN: 9781802272994

Book preview

Cover.jpg

Copyright © 2022 by Michael J Flagg

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Michael J Flagg

Reviewers may quote brief passages.

FIRST EDITION

ISBN, paperback: 978-1-80227-298-7

ISBN, ebook: 978-1-80227-299-4

This book is typeset in Garamond Premier Pro

Contents

Prologue

Introduction - Are Hair Stylists Undervalued in the UK?

Santo’s childhood home in Calamonaci

Commencing Work in London

At Last - The Opportunity for Hairdressing in London!

The Elements for Business Success

Hair Cutting Methods Over Fifty Years

The Uniqueness of the Island of Sicily

Temple at Agrigento

The Norman Invasion of Southern Sicily

A World Heritage Site

Temple of Hera Lacinia

Some Authentic Sicilian Cuisine and Wines

Popular Sweet Dishes

Some Popular Sicilian Wines

Conclusion

Acknowledgements

Prologue

Having already completed two full length biographies, the inevitable question is why undertake this one? Unlike a novel, there is no direct personal identification of the biographer’s involvement except to do the research and collate what, in their view as the writer, is important historically and hopefully of compelling interest to the intended reader. Consequently, as with any other biography, many questions arose at the outset of this project – the primary one being ‘What was the purpose of writing it? Who is the intended audience and what are they likely to gain from reading it?’

At the foundation surely must be the motivation of the biographer to highlight and stimulate interest in the biographical subject. This writer has known Santo Raia, for over fifty years having been one of his many clients since his days starting in Proctor Street, Holborn, London. Surely from a customer’s perspective the importance of hairdressing is, as these pages will hopefully convey, to have confidence and trust in the provider of the service.

Santo originates from the largest island in the Mediterranean which itself has a fascinating and compelling history and has recently been the subject of an impressive TV documentary series presented by Professor Michael Scott. It has also attracted authors such as Jeremy Dummett, creator of ‘Syracuse City of Legends’, and John Julius Norwich whose ‘Sicily a Short History from the Ancient Greeks to Cosa Nostra’, published in 2015 is masterfully entertaining, comprehensive and excellently researched.

What has been an educational journey for this writer is the contribution of many from the Italian Peninsula as a whole to the British economy over time, but in this case more specifically of those from Sicily which has some major differences. In addition, there is the attraction of the human story of any immigrant coming to a foreign country, starting up and running a business, creating a family and surviving, especially in the unpredictable field of hairdressing in London, all of which requires courage as well as personal conviction.

On reading this short work about Santo, it is hoped that the appreciation of his form of art will survive and continue to grow despite the ravages of the recent lockdowns and the major questions about its future which it shares in common with other service industries.

Introduction

Are Hair Stylists Undervalued in the UK?

How much do you value your hairdresser? The first wave of the coronavirus outbreak, which forced the cessation of the activities of hairdressers for three months, actually served to emphasise and enhance the importance of hairdressing to most of the general public. Whereas in the corridors of power it is an essential at a price that might not be justifiably affordable by the majority, Harry Wallop, in the Daily Telegraph of January 2014, attempts to dispel any assumption that hairdressing is unimportant. He cites certain British prime ministers as all having had a head of hair, although Winston Churchill is not mentioned. Apparently, David Cameron’s bald patch was skilfully covered up by his hairdresser, Lino Carboniferous, who was subsequently awarded an MBE in the 2019 New Year’s Honours List! The Queen’s hairstylist, Ian Carmichael, of the Dorchester Hotel’s Royston Blyth salon, received a royal warrant and Jo Hanford, hair colourist to the Duchess of Cornwall, an MBE.

Awards such as these surely serve to emphasise the importance of