Antonio Chiappa, the barber down in Barga Giardino is moving his shop, lock stock and barrel up into Barga Vecchia ?? Can the rumours really be true? It would seem so. Antonio is actively looking for new premises into the old town to set up his traditional barbers shop and start a whole new chapter in the life of Barga Vecchia The last barbers in Barga Vecchia shut many years ago as changing shaving habits and people gradually leaving the area made it no longer a viable economic proposition

Antonio's has been one of the gathering places in the Giardino area of Barga where men still go to exchange opinions, read the newspaper and, sometimes even get a haircut or a shave. During the Xmas period Antonio has kept up the tradition of offering his customers not just the benefit of his expert scissors and blades but also glasses of steaming mulled red wine and even some live music to entertain them (this year provided by some of the members of Jack's Pack) The changing fortunes of Barga Vecchia has now meant that once again it is time for a barber to take up the tools of his trade inside the castle. It is yet another sign of the rejuvenation and regeneration that has been taking place over the past few years in this area.