Meet the nearly 90-year-old hairdresser keeping spirits high at Thornhill Manor
Thornhill Manor resident Margaret Miles is still working behind the salon chair after seven decades, turning every appointment into a moment of connection and community.
There’s a friendly rhythm in the salon at Thornhill Manor Retirement Village, with scissors snipping and familiar conversation flowing.
For many, it’s part haircut, part catch-up, part routine.
At the centre of it is resident hairdresser Margaret Miles, who, at nearly 90, is still working behind the chair she has occupied in one form or another for more than seven decades.
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“I would go mad sitting at home doing nothing,” she said.
Retirement, for Margaret, has never meant stepping away from purpose; it has meant reshaping it.
Her journey in hairdressing began shortly after the Second World War, when she began training at 17.
What began as a practical skill quickly turned into a lifelong calling.
Over time, she has seen the world of hair change dramatically.
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Margaret remembers an era of structured sets, perms and pinned buns.
Now, she says, styles are far more natural, especially among older adults. But while trends have shifted, her approach has not.
“It’s like a bit of magic.”
She explained that she takes great pride in watching someone leave her chair looking brighter than when they sat down.
Yet what truly sets Margaret apart is not only her skill with scissors, but her gift for conversation.
Her salon chair has become something of an unofficial community hub, a place where stories are shared and worries are lessened.
“I love people,” she said simply.
“If you come in here, I can chat to you all day.”
Over the years, Margaret has built lasting relationships that stretch far beyond hairstyling, helping to nurture a strong sense of belonging among residents.
Having moved into the village 23 years ago, Margaret has seen retirement living change in many ways over time.
However, her outlook has remained constant: Keep busy and stay connected.
“I think it’s very important to still feel useful,” she said.
“Being with people makes all the difference.”
