Coonabarabran Times (digital) - 28.9.2023

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THURSDAY, 28TH SEPTEMBER 2023

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It’s the end of an era...

Chimp’s hanging up the clippers Local barber, John “Chimp” Franklin has had his reign cut short as he retires due to health reasons. Chimp spoke to the Coonabarabran Times earlier this week, taking a look back over his impressive 67-year career behind the shears. by GEORGIA SPENCE Coonabarabran may have a few more people walking around with long, unkempt hairdos as local legend and barber, “Chimp” hangs up the clippers for the final time. H a v i n g s at at h i s b a r b e r s h o p fo r 67 yea r s, h i s p resence i n Coonabarabran’s main street made him somewhat of a local institution. Over the years, he provided locals and travellers with cheap, st ylish haircuts, many laughs, many a cigar and a sense of timelessness. If only the worn-out tiles and vintage walls of the barber shop could talk. His wife, Sandra, has supported him throughout the many years. “There are stories in that shop,” Sandra said.

“Older men would come in, just for a chat and if he heard anything, it would never leave the shop.” It seemed Chimp’s loyalty to the locals meant that what happened in the shop, stayed in the shop. The couple remembered the days when kids would walk past, always asking for a hair cut. Chimp would perch the kids on a stool, wet their hair, comb it back and send them on their way. He said his popularity came from providing cheap haircuts, however, Sandra noted it was more than that. She said Chimp would not raise the cost of his haircuts as he did it for the passion, not the money. “ I d o n’ t w a n t t o d i e r o b b i n g anybody,” he said. CONTINUED PAGE 2

Coonabarabran Times, Thursday, 28th September 2023 - 1


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