The Handlebar Moustache Club
2008 Archive of News and Events


moustache An Idea Is Born - The British Beard Club


The British Beard Club
The British Beard Club invites prospective members to help to create it.

Since the World Beard and Moustache Championships event was held in Brighton, East Sussex, on September 1st 2007, British beard growers, owners and their admirers have discovered that there has been no social club for British men with an interest in growing their beards.

Now founder of The British Beard Club, David Dade is inviting British Beard owners and Their Admirers to join him and create a new British Beard social club on the same lines as the many Beard Clubs in Germany, Belgium, other EU countries and the USA, and which will complement The Handlebar (Moustache) Club. You can express your interest in helping to create The British Beard Club at the Web site http://thebritishbeardclub.org

David is hoping to attend the December 5th First Friday at The Windsor Castle to meet potential new members.


 


moustache European Beard and Moustache Championships 2008 Report


The Handlebar Club with their Schnauz-Bärte
The Handlebar Club with their Schnauz-Bärte

Another Bacchalian adventure takes Andy Lear and the Team into the world of Sambucas, Moonshine and Swords, in his latest saga of the Club's visit to and participation in the European Beard and Moustache Championships in Leinfelden-Echterdingenin, Germany. But there's nothing about what he ate and drank there ... ONLY JOKING!


Andy Lear


moustache Atters' Stars on Canvas Charity Auction


Atters' moustache inspired artwork.
Atters' moustache inspired artwork auctioned as part of the Stars on Canvas project.

Committee member Michael "Atters" Attree is having his moustache inspired artwork auctioned as part of the Stars on Canvas project in aid of the Willow Foundation (a national charity that provides special days for seriously-ill 16 to 40 year olds throughout the UK). You can bid directly online for Atters' work until December 12 via E-bay (at: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESCX:IT&item=180307953885 ) or bid for other canvases (possibly more suited to your tastes) created by a host of actors, artists, cartoonists, chefs, children's illustrators, politicians and radio and television personalities.

A free public exhibition of the canvases is being held at the SW1 Gallery, London, SW1E 5JE, from December 2 - 6 (Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 12pm to 6pm and Wednesday and Saturday from 12pm to 4pm) 2008. A private champagne reception/auction, which some of the donating stars will be attending, is being held at the SW1 Gallery on December 3 at 6.30pm. Tickets are available to the public, priced £25. For more information about the exhibition and auction, or for tickets to the champagne reception, visit www.willowfoundation.org.uk/starsoncanvas


moustache Europameisterschaft der Bärte - European Beard Championships 2008
 
Europameisterschaft der Bärte - European Beard Championships 2008
Die schönsten Bärte Europas

Click on the logo above to see this year's competitors

Can you spot at least 12 members of The Handlebar Club who were competitors at The European Beard Championships 2008?
Read the full report by Andy Lear


moustache The Handlebar Club in the news

The Daily Telegraph runs this story:
The Moustache - victim of fickle public taste
"What do Peter Mandelson and Sir Ian Blair have in common?" More...

Spied by David Dade


moustache Farewell to Brian Parsons, Handlebar Club Member
Brian Parsons

Although only recently becoming a member of the Handlebar Club, Brian, known as 'Whiskers' to his nine grandchildren, was a lifelong proponent of the hirsute appendage. Its graspability was something of a family legend and an ever-present source of inspiration to his nephew who went on to become our current Club Secretary.

Due to illness Brian was unable to attend any of our club events over the last couple of years but often wore his club regalia with pride in his adopted county of Somerset.

He will be sadly missed by family and friends.

 


moustache The Chap Olympiad


The Top-Hat Chap explains the rules
Prospective Chap Olympians listen to the rules

Our intrepid reporter Andy Lear tries his hand at the Cucumber Sandwich Discus, despite an initial and serious lack of refreshment, but Handlebar Club member Dave Hill arrives in the nick of time with the requisite beer but no iPod. The Hundred Yard Saunter typifies the athletic style required for this event organised (some might say) by the The Chap Magazine.


Andy Lear


moustache North American Beard and Moustache Championship Report


Andy mistakes the Compere for an Elephant - Specsavers?
Andy mistakes the Compere for an Elephant - Specsavers?

Read yet another Andy Lear headlong stream-of-consiousness account of the Club's visit to and participation in the Bremerton, Washington State event. Yes, and of course, about what he ate and drank there!


Andy Lear


moustache That Uncle with the Handlebar Moustache and the Magic Dice
 
1948 - Irene McMullen greets George Hoffman as he arrives in Toronto
1948 - Irene McMullen greets George Hoffman as he arrives in Toronto

Frank Miles of Toronto, Canada writes to us with this tribute to his late uncle, George Hoffman, who joined the Handlebar Club in 1947.


moustache Antwerp Moustache of the Year 2008


Bad Belgians march on the Castle
A local notary with a moustache gets a ride

Read another Andy Lear account of happenings during the Antwerp Moustache of the Year 2008 event, and what he ate and drank there.


Andy Lear


moustache 2008 AGM Report - Imperial Moustaches get all steamed up in Hythe


Alan Rockliffe receives the kindest cut
The Kindest Cut!

Read Andy Lear's entertaining account of happenings during the Handlebar Club's 2008 AGM at the Hythe Imperial Hotel, Kent, and the members' visit to bleak Dungeness Lighthouse riding the RHDR.

UPDATE! Alan Rockliffe's loss of face (-ial hair) raised £355.02 for The Multiple Sclerosis Society, a charity close to his heart.


Andy Lear


moustache Charity enjoys a hair tonic
from The Argus 27th February 2008, published in Brighton, East Sussex
 
PICTURE:ALAN JONESAJ210208D-9
Atters presents the cheque
HAIRY MOMENT: Michael Attree presents Alicia Teague of The Rockinghorse Appeal
with the cheque for £6,250.
  Charity enjoys a hair tonic

A CHARITY has received an unlikely boost after a display of artistic facial hair.

The World Beard and Moustache Championships, held in September last year at the Brighton Centre, featured dozens of beard and moustache wearers.

The event was organised by the Handlebar Club, which raised more than £12,000 for charity.

Now renowned Brighton moustache wearer Michael "Atters" Attree, a member of the Handlebar Club, has presented a cheque for £6,250 to the Rockinghorse Appeal.

The appeal raises money to help sick children, including patients at the Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital in Brighton.

The rest of the cash was donated to the Everyman Male Cancer Campaign.

 


black moustache Farewell to Conway Chiles, President of the Handlebar Club


Conway Chiles

Conway had been a member of the Club since the early days, went out to Canada for a few years then rejoined on his return in the mid 1950s. Since then he has been a leading figure, not only in the Handlebar Club but in other clubs throughout Europe. He served on the committee for years in various positions and having retired about 10 years ago, came out of retirement to be President during our 60th Anniversary year and for the World Beard and Moustache Championships.

Our thoughts go out to Rosemary, his wife and his brother Chris, his sister Ann and their families.

More about Conway Chiles in an appreciation by Rod Littlewood


moustache Ed Ryland wins Short Film Competition with his documentary Mr. Moustachio

One (short) time member of the Handlebar Club, Ed Ryland, has won the Darlow Smithson Short Film Competition 2007 with his documentary Mr.Moustachio - a film about his attempt to grow a handlebar moustache and to join our esteemed band. The competition was run by a documentary film company called Darlow Smithson (who made Touching The Void).

Ed is now considering entering his film for another couple of film festivals and negotiating its appearance on the small screen. Mr Ryland, who tells me that he "rather carelessly shaved off the moustache" would like to thank members of the club for their help and hospitality during the making of the film.

Ed also made the film Grow a Tache. Raise Cash. for Tacheback 2007 which appears elsewhere on this site.

Steve Parsons


ARCHIVE OF 2009
ARCHIVE OF 2007