General News
25 February, 2024
John cobbles good repairs at boot shop
By CHRIS EARL JOHN Good has gone in boots and all to bring new life to one of Newbridge’s oldest buildings. The former bootmaker’s shop that at times doubled as the local barbers is John’s latest restoration project after completing work on...
By CHRIS EARL
JOHN Good has gone in boots and all to bring new life to one of Newbridge’s oldest buildings.
The former bootmaker’s shop that at times doubled as the local barbers is John’s latest restoration project after completing work on the cottage he has called home since moving to Newbridge more than three years ago.
The barber’s chair is long gone from the 1890s building that John has already taken back to its original weatherboard facade.
John has been helped by locals in researching the building’s history. His quest triggered a search through old clippings of stories I had written as a cadet journalist more than 40 years ago.
There among the yellowing pages was the story of James Chamberlain in 1980. In an interview, James said his father had opened the shop late in the 19th century and would later teach him the trade.
“Mine workers of the day were having trouble getting their hair cut, so it was James’ father who worked all hours of the night cutting hair ... threepence a shave and sixpence a cut,” the story said.
James, who in retirement tended his garden around what is now John’s home, was also football club secretary at one time.
John said he hopes to have the latest restoration project finished in a few months ... perhaps making it a talking point for visitors as it was when James Chamberlain lived there late into the 20th century.