So this morning, whilst the cobwebs were waiting to be blown away and I lie in anticipation for the five strong espressos, filled with their delicious Caffeine molecules, to slowly find their way to my synapsis’, I suddenly found myself gazing out of our window. I shuddered into amazement at this most beautiful view. Before my eyes was the sight of one of the oldest buildings in Salford bathed in an autumnal morning sky of pinks, oranges and blues. It was at this moment reader that I realized just how underestimated our salons surroundings are. Now prepare yourselves as I'm about to paint you a modern Lowery, with a hint of John Cooper Clarke. Eccles, our Birthplace has always been seen as the middle child, the house wine or the uncle who no one talks to at weddings, of Manchester. In fact, it’s always been seen as a no man's between Manchester and Salford. Now, lines were drawn years ago and I’m not even going to attempt to tread into the quagmire of the Manchester/Salford debacle, lets just leave that there for today, but because of this oversight it really has some hidden gems waiting to be pointed out (now I know what you’re thinking “Adam James Hairdressing isn’t a hidden gem it’s the jewel in the crown” well you are too kind but no not us). The biggest one stares us in the face every day! Next time you come to have your hair lovingly transformed, cast your eyes out of our windows and before you, you will be graced with the Church of St Mary the Virgin. Don’t worry reader, this isn’t going to turn into a diatribe about finding a higher power, merely an appreciation of the rich tapestry of our beloved Eccles. The Church itself is as entrenched in the local history as Eccles cakes, in fact the first Eccles cake shop was, opened in 1796 opposite the church. The name Eccles comes from Ecclesiastic (big word for a hairdresser I know, I had to google how to spell it) which comes from the Latin meaning “of the church” (how posh does it sound now!). This 13th Centaury Church has begun to opening for lunch on Saturdays and almost as if divine intervention, I was graced with spare five minutes to have a nose. The Inside is more magnificent than out. Through the huge wooden door you are greeted by overwhelming Gothic architecture, stained windows and an enormous organ. Please refrain for carry on style innuendos . After picking my jaw off the floor I began my inspection of the windows themselves. The first to catch my eye was a window called “Entry to Jerusalem” though it’s been, in true Mancunian fashion nicknamed “the long donkey window” (to be only said in the accent of course). This eye watering piece of craftsmanship was created in the 16th centaury and was gifted to the church in the 20’s. At the back of the pulpit stands three huge stained windows which as your eyes scan, you notice are in what appears to be disarray. In truth, this collection of windows was blasted out during the blitz as a Luftwaffe's bomb landed behind the church leaving the window in tatters. The Priest in charge of the rebuilding of the church decided to leave the window as it was with the missing stained glass as a monument to tragedy of war. If you’re not fortunate enough to be here on a Saturday and let's be honest appointments on Saturday’s leading up to the silly season are going quicker than hot (Eccles) cakes, then you might be in for an evening treat as the local campanologist's ( I said no carry on innuendos), peel the bells with a cacophony of sound. There’s a million other things I could ramble on about, that I'm sure would both delight and bore you but safe to say the Church is truly one of the many what makes this tiny little town such a hidden gem. So the next time you come see us, after you've been pampered with a head massage and you’re nibbling on a Boarders biscuit, dipped into a frothy cappuccino be sure to cast your eyes out through our windows and take it all in and feel proud and elated to be in Eccles. So this morning, whilst the cobwebs were waiting to be blown away and I lie in anticipation for the five strong espressos, filled with their delicious Caffeine molecules, to slowly find their way to my synapsis’, I suddenly found myself gazing out of our window. I shuddered into amazement at this most beautiful view. Before my eyes was the sight of one of the oldest buildings in Salford bathed in an autumnal morning sky of pinks, oranges and blues. It was at this moment reader that I realized just how underestimated our salons surroundings are. Now prepare yourselves as I'm about to paint you a modern Lowery, with a hint of John Cooper Clarke. Eccles, our Birthplace has always been seen as the middle child, the house wine or the uncle who no one talks to at weddings, of Manchester. In fact, it’s always been seen as a no man's between Manchester and Salford. Now, lines were drawn years ago and I’m not even going to attempt to tread into the quagmire of the Manchester/Salford debacle, lets just leave that there for today, but because of this oversight it really has some hidden gems waiting to be pointed out (now I know what you’re thinking “Adam James Hairdressing isn’t a hidden gem it’s the jewel in the crown” well you are too kind but no not us). The biggest one stares us in the face every day! Next time you come to have your hair lovingly transformed, cast your eyes out of our windows and before you, you will be graced with the Church of St Mary the Virgin. Don’t worry reader, this isn’t going to turn into a diatribe about finding a higher power, merely an appreciation of the rich tapestry of our beloved Eccles. The Church itself is as entrenched in the local history as Eccles cakes, in fact the first Eccles cake shop was, opened in 1796 opposite the church. The name Eccles comes from Ecclesiastic (big word for a hairdresser I know, I had to google how to spell it) which comes from the Latin meaning “of the church” (how posh does it sound now!). This 13th Centaury Church has begun to opening for lunch on Saturdays and almost as if divine intervention, I was graced with spare five minutes to have a nose. The Inside is more magnificent than out. Through the huge wooden door you are greeted by overwhelming Gothic architecture, stained windows and an enormous organ. Please refrain for carry on style innuendos . After picking my jaw off the floor I began my inspection of the windows themselves. The first to catch my eye was a window called “Entry to Jerusalem” though it’s been, in true Mancunian fashion nicknamed “the long donkey window” (to be only said in the accent of course). This eye watering piece of craftsmanship was created in the 16th centaury and was gifted to the church in the 20’s. At the back of the pulpit stands three huge stained windows which as your eyes scan, you notice are in what appears to be disarray. In truth, this collection of windows was blasted out during the blitz as a Luftwaffe's bomb landed behind the church leaving the window in tatters. The Priest in charge of the rebuilding of the church decided to leave the window as it was with the missing stained glass as a monument to tragedy of war. If you’re not fortunate enough to be here on a Saturday and let's be honest appointments on Saturday’s leading up to the silly season are going quicker than hot (Eccles) cakes, then you might be in for an evening treat as the local campanologist's ( I said no carry on innuendos), peel the bells with a cacophony of sound. There’s a million other things I could ramble on about, that I'm sure would both delight and bore you but safe to say the Church is truly one of the many what makes this tiny little town such a hidden gem. So the next time you come see us, after you've been pampered with a head massage and you’re nibbling on a Boarders biscuit, dipped into a frothy cappuccino be sure to cast your eyes out through our windows and take it all in and feel proud and elated to be in Eccles.