Award winning wartime window is a cut above the competition

A STRIKING wartime window display brought home the trophy for a Barnard Castle hairdressers shop during the town’s 1940s weekend. 

A Cut Above, in Horsemarket, was awarded the best display in a competition run by the town council for retailers.

The judges were Carrie Wilson, of The Morritt, and Teesdale Mercury editor Trevor Brookes. They heaped praise on the efforts taken in creating the tribute to the war years, although the “fantastic” window displays put together by all other shops were also applauded.

However, A Cut Above lived up to its name and scooped the top prize, largely thanks to business owner Sharon Walker’s 1940s magazines, ration cards and personal photos.

They included a picture of her father, Stan Chape, as a boy.

Ms Walker said: “All the photos are of my family and the little boy was my dad. He was sent to Barnard Castle as an evacuee from Sunderland and he never went back – he met my mum, Pat, here and stayed.”

Ms Wilson, group sales manager for The Morritt, which provided the cup, said: “All have made a very good effort and it’s great to see. Some of the shops have paid particular attention to having a display that fits their business – Brookes tailors for example had a window about 1940s clothing while Farmhouse Kitchen and Tea Room gave a recipe for 1940s carrot cake with the story behind it.

“But I really liked A Cut Above because the whole window seemed to be filled with such a varied display. It feels so patriotic but is also very personal.”

Leah Hobson’s Dress Agency was also singled out for its splendid efforts, which included using chalks to create union flags on the pavement. Oxfam and Mind also caught the judges’ eyes.

As well as a cup, A Cut Above will receive a free advertising feature in the Teesdale Mercury.

Mr Brookes said: “There were so many fantastic windows and everyone should be commended.”