Alan Butler: well-known Winchester hairdresser dies aged 83

Alan Butler was the owner of Donna Hair Fashions in Olivers Battery Road South from 1969 until 2008.

He, with his late wife Christine, moved to Colchester, Essex at the start of 2020. After her death in November of that year, he spent the last three years of his life close to his children and grandchildren, retaining his passion for gardening and enjoying being near to the coast. He had a pacemaker fitted in 2021, however, he succumbed to congestive heart failure and passed away peacefully with his children Nina and Guy by his side on Friday, October 27.

Alan Butler in 2023 (Image: Nina Metson)READ MORE: John Thorn: former head teacher of Winchester College dies aged 98

He was born in Corsham, Wiltshire in 1940, and grew up in Calne before travelling overseas to South Africa and America as a hairdresser in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Back in the UK, he managed London hair salons for Raymond Bessone (aka Mr Teasy-Weasy, Britain’s first celebrity hairdresser), as well as salons in Brighton and Reading.

He married Christine (nee Lilley) in 1967 and they moved to Winchester to both work and live in Oliver's Battery. Mr Butler also owned and ran both the launderette and the haberdasher’s shop ‘The Wendy House’ in Olivers Battery, but it will be as the owner of Donna Hair Fashions that he will be best remembered.

Alan in the early 1960s (Image: Nina Metson)Serving generations of ladies with their weekly shampoo and sets, blow dries, perms and colours, the salon, led by Mr Butler, was a hugely popular business in the City. He and his family spent a year in Spain in the late 1980’s but returned to the UK and he resumed ownership of the salon to further success.

After selling the business in 2008, Mr Butler continued to work there for another two years, with a loyal clientele keeping him busy until he finally retired in 2010.

SEE ALSO: Citizens Advice reports rise in people using its services in Test Valley

By this point, he was living in Romsey and was able to channel all his creative flair into his garden. He had always enjoyed designing and planting colourful garden displays, with bountiful hanging baskets being his passion.

Alan in his garden (Image: Nina Metson)At his final residence, in Colchester, he nursed his wife of 53 years until she died at home of lung cancer. He created a final garden, around a theme of yellow roses and orange begonias, in her memory. He is survived by his children and grandchildren and will be remembered for his hard work, devotion and positivity.  

Mr Butler’s cremation service will be held at Colchester Crematorium on November 24. All enquiries or floral tributes can be made via stanway@hunnaball.co.uk