Fancy being part of history? South Shields Museum appeals for donations of hair for coronavirus exhibition

South Shields Museum and Art Gallery is asking for donations of hair to form part of a future exhibition on the coronavirus pandemic.

The museum, which is based in the town centre, is on the lookout for South Tyneside residents who are due to have a haircut on Saturday, July 4 – when salons reopen – and have not had their hair cut or trimmed since lockdown started in March.

The hair would then form part of a collection of items from the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown that would then go on display at the museum in the future.

As well as the chance to become part of the borough’s history, those willing to take part will also have the unqiue opportunity to have their hair displayed alongside Catherine Cookson’s own hair which is on show at the museum.

Adam Bell, assistant keeper of history at South Shields Museum and Art Gallery, said: “We have been collecting things to do with the pandemic and lockdown and thought it would be interesting if someone who had not had their hair cut for the three months of lockdown to bag it up and donate it to the museum.

“We have tried to collect things that represent this moment in history [and] know that there must be lots of people up and down the county who have the first hair appointments on Saturday, July 4.”

Those interested in taking part must be from South Tyneside and should ask for permission from their hair stylist who would need to collect their hair in a bag to give to the museum.

Individuals who have donated would also need to take a photos before and after their haircut and be willing to be interviewed by the museum on how they have found life during lockdown and how they have coped with the pandemic.

Anyone interested in taking part should email: [email protected]

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