NHS Mural, Peter's Angels

There is a mural on the side of Peter Joannou Male Grooming and Barber Shop here in the heart of Brighton. It sits quietly, but it means a great deal to me.

On Saturday 27 August 2019, around 6.45pm, I was performing my monthly show from my window when I suffered a heart attack. At first I did not fully realise what was happening. I just felt breathless and assumed I had pushed myself too hard. Not long after, the pressure in my chest made it clear something was very wrong, and with my wife’s advice I called 999. Within minutes, an ambulance arrived and the paramedics took over. A short time later, A and E confirmed what had happened, and I was in theatre soon after with a stent fitted to open a blocked artery.

The NHS system was extraordinary, calm, fast, and professional. They saved my life, and I will always be grateful. The Sussex Heart Charity also supported me during a difficult period, and I will not forget that kindness either.

Why the mural is on my shop

When something like that happens, you want a way to say thank you that feels real, not performative. For me, the answer was simple. Put it on the shop. Put it where the local community can see it as they walk through the Lanes, on their way to work, to meet friends, or to pop in for a trim.

This barbershop has always been about people. Yes, it is about sharp haircuts, proper grooming, and the details that make you feel like yourself again. But it is also a place where people talk, where you get looked after, and where community matters. The mural is my way of recognising the people who looked after me when I needed it most.

Peter’s Angels, the poem on the mural

The poem on the mural is called Peter’s Angels, written by Steve Barrey. It received the most votes in a competition run by The Argus, as part of a set of poems created in tribute to the NHS.

Here is the poem as it appears:

In the darkest of times,
Losing hope or in pain,
There are those that will help you,
Not for money or gain

They are fearless and caring,
Tough, yet so kind,
They carry the weak,
And leave no one behind

My message is clear,
In my voice as it sings,
I saw for myself,
Not all angels have wings

Poem G By Steve Barrey

If you are passing by

If you are walking along Middle Street, take a moment to look up at the mural. It is a reminder that real care still exists, and that the people who deliver it deserve to be recognised.

And if you fancy a proper haircut and a bit of time to reset, you are always welcome in the chair.

Peter Joannou Male Grooming and Barber Shop
40 Middle St, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 1AL
01273 328799