News and Events
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A poignant success story with a sad ending |
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You may have read our recent reports on the Charity Darts Match between The Handlebar Club and The Pipe Club of London organised by member of both clubs Alan "Rocky" Rockliffe, in aid of the Childrens' Liver Disease Foundation. Through Rocky's efforts £500 was raised for the Charity, which has been providing his own critically ill grandson Jack aged seven months, with crucial advice and support. Sadly, little Jack has since lost his battle with illness and passed away on Thursday 18th November. Alan has asked us to reproduce this article from The Enfield Advertiser, as a tribute to the little boy's memory and to promote the vital work of the Childrens' Liver Disease Foundation, which continues to fund research into childhood liver disease. |
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Movember 2009 - More Goings On |
Steve Parsons prepares to palpate
When Steve Parsons was asked to talk to a design consultancy involved in promoting Movember about the importance of the month long charity event and the problems of prostate cancer, the obvious thing for him to do was to borrow a prostate examination simulator and give everyone a hands-on lesson in prostate examination... Read Steve's probing report on the experience, and see our Potty President's latest dual-control appendage, all waxed and ready for action. |
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Addendum to A Pleasant Afternoon in God's Own County |
The rather surprised Handlebar Club team
It would be superfluous to add much to The British Beard Club's musings on the occasionally annual Darts Match between the Handlebar Club and the Pipe Club of London. So it just remains for me to congratulate the rather surprised Handlebar Club team on their astounding victory. A victory achieved through a rare combination of skill, fortitude and a large helping of blind luck. Many thanks to those members of The Handlebar Club, The Pipe Club of London and The British Beard Club who turned up, as well as to the staff and customers of the Thatcher's Arms in Great Warley, Essex who helped us raise over £500 for the Children's Liver Disease Foundation: www.childliverdisease.org
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Farewell to Stuart Naylor, Handlebar Club Member |
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I'm sad to announce the death of Club Member Stuart Naylor, who died peacefully on Monday the 13th of July this year in St. Catherine's Hospice in Scarborough. Our belated condolences go out to his family.
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Movember 2009 |
Rod dispenses words of avuncular wisdom...
This week the annual fundraising moustache (mo) fest known as Movember was launched for 2009. During the month formerly known as November there will be new moustaches sprouting across the nation and the Handlebar Club is proud to support and nurture these hirsute efforts. Our hairy President Rod was on hand to meet moustache lovers and growers at the launch event in Camden, London. As you can see he spent most of the evening dispensing words of avuncular wisdom to the lovely ladies of Movember. You can join in the fun at uk.movember.com. |
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Scoffing Scotch and Schnitzels in Gründau-Steinau |
Andy finally flowers
The Gründau-Steinau Beard Club celebrated its 25th Anniversary with an international Beard and Moustache competition in Germany, and Andy Lear was there, with a lot of familiar and some not-so familiar moustaches and beards from the Championship circuit. Read his gripping report about elastic, cheese and blackberries, and as usual hardly anything about the competition. |
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British Pathé Digital News Archive - Spaghetti Eating Race 1959 |
Spaghetti Eating Race 1959
From The British Pathé Digital News Archive. Click on the thumbnail, then on the Play button that appears. "The party is, in fact, a contest to see who can swallow spaghetti fastest - the beauties from London's Talk of the Town, or the hairy gentlemen of the Handlebar Club - who are recognised (in some places!) World Champion Spaghetti Eaters"
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Members of the Europese Snorrenclub Antwerpen to visit London |
Europese Snorrenclub Antwerpen
19 members of Belgian-based club Europese Snorrenclub Antwerpen lead by their President, Willy Dupon will arrive on 9th October for a 3-day visit to London. The Handlebar Club is delighted to meet and entertain them on the evening of Friday 9th October at the Windsor Castle - this is in addition to the regular first Friday the weekend previous. |
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The Handlebar Club vs The Pipe Club of London Darts match |
 Thatcher's Arms, Great Warley, Brentwood, Essex - venue for the Darts Match.
(The pub is actually a little bit bigger than this picture!) As heralded at the 2009 AGM, the annual Darts Match with The Pipe Club of London has been resurrected, and will take place at Thatcher's Arms in Great Warley, Brentwood, Essex from 14:00 on Saturday 17th October 2009. It will be a charity event as usual with proceeds going to the Children's Liver Disease Foundation, a charity close to the heart of HBC and PCoL member Alan 'Rocky' Rockcliffe. Put the date in your diary, find the way there, and get your eye and a pint in for 2pm on the day. |
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The Lost is Found! |
The Lost is Found! New Overseas Member Paul Larsen
Such is the power of The Internet and 'The Web' - (oh, are they two different things? Well, yes and no - one is the carrier for the other) - that the generously-moustached gentleman we were looking for is quickly found and established as Paul Larsen, our latest Overseas member. You can find out more about him in the Gallery of Members. |
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A lot of Slashvasser and a few titters |
Celebrating The Swedish Moustache Club's 25th Anniversary
The Svenska Mustaschklubben was started in 1984 by Sten-Erik Molker as a 'nest' of the Handlebar Club, and we still have very strong ties with them. 11 Brits, a busload of Belgians, a gaggle of Germans, a dash of Dutch, and a smattering of Swedes celebrated this weekend event in Köping, Sweden on 4th and 5th September. Andy Lear was there as usual, eating and drinking his way through the weekend. It's a must-read experience... |
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The Scottish Veterans Association receives The Handlebar Club's donation |
SVA chairman John Richardson (R) accepts the cheque from Alex McBride (C)
On Saturday 19th June in Stirling, Scotland, The Handlebar Club treasurer Alex McBride (centre) presented a £100 donation to The Scottish Veterans Association chairman Mr John Richardson ex. RAMC (right), accompanied by SVA Secretary and Handlebar Club member Rev Dr. Bill Mackie (left). |
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The British Beard Club challenges The Eggheads |
5 British Beards & 1 Moustache ready to crack Eggs
Following in our footsteps of last year, our brother club The British Beard Club recently challenged the Eggheads team in a closely-fought bid to dislodge them from their proverbial wall. Did their team of buttered bearded soldiers beat those hard-boiled eggsperts, or were they left pointed end up and past their shell-by date with scrambled brains? You'll have to wait rather more than 4 minutes for the answer by watching out for the show on BBC2 Television! |
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The Battle Of The Haggis |
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Andy Lear's 427 stanza epic poem The Battle Of The Haggis, written to honour The Halbert of McHalbert's valiant struggle during the 2009 AGM in Edinburgh, has received less attention than it deserves (it says here). Now, in its full glory with witty illustration by Kate Harrison, it becomes obvious where true artistic genius lies. Judge for yourself and relive The Glorious Fourth of April. |
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The Chap Olympiad 2009 |
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Our indefatigable comedy team of Lear and Hill indulge in more caddish capers at the 2009 Chap Olympiad. Join in the fun with Andy's usual entertaining account of, amongst other chappish delights, The Moustache Tug of War and The 100 Yard Tash in this annual event for Chaps and Chapettes organised as ever by the The Chap Magazine.
Andy Lear
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Farewell to Henry James, Handlebar Club Stalwart |
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I'm sad to announce the death of Club stalwart, Henry James, on Saturday 20th June 2009. He has been and will be sorely missed by all of us who knew him. Our condolences go out to his family. His funeral is at 2.30 on 2nd July at Prestwold Church, Prestwold, Near Loughborough. Afterwards at the Greyhound Inn, 25 Melton Road, Burton on the Wolds, Nr Loughborough. Family flowers only but donations to Cancer Research UK. See this fuller appreciation.
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The British Beard Club's Mid-Summer Beardness Sunday Lunch |
Smiling bearded faces - Watch out Trondheim!
The third bi-monthly meeting of The British Beard Club took place at The George Inn, Borough High Street, London on 21st June 2009. It was a great success for the new Club, and was the most-attended meeting so far. Read TBBC Organiser David Dade's illustrated report. The next World Beard and Moustache Championships is on May 17th, 2011 in Trondheim, Norway, so you have still have time to grow a competition-quality moustache or beard! If you want to try growing more than just a moustache, why not join The British Beard Club and they'll help and advise your beard growth progress. |
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Keith Jefferson's 11-inch Moustache in the News - and on Video! |
 Keith Jefferson in the Cumberland News
Click on this picture, and then click the white triangle Play button
From the Cumberland News: |
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Antwerp Moustache of the Year 2009 |
 Two Gentlemen of Leuven, Belgium
The Handlebar Club's annual visit to Belgium took Steve Parsons to the 2009 Antwerp Moustache of the Year event, hosted by Snorrenclub Antwerpen. Steve describes a weekend of processing through the streets of Antwerp then drinking more Belgian beer, and you'll find out what the town of Leuven is famous for. |
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The Alternative World Beard and Moustache Championships |
 The Handlebar Club Non-Alaska Awards
The Handlebar Club World Beard and Moustache Non-Alaska Awards 2009 contest took place in a leafy Kent village while all the fuss continued in Alaska. Tom Cutler recalls what he can remember about the event. |
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The World Beard and Moustache Championships 2009 - The Lear Report |
 Member Keith Jefferson wins Natural Moustache, 2nd Place!
The World Beard and Moustache Championships 2009 took place in Anchorage, Alaska, USA on May 23rd, and Andy Lear recounts The Handlebar Club team's experiences, what he drank and ate, and hardly anything about the contest itself, as usual. |
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Rokas Darulis - Photographer |
 Talented student photographer Rokas Darulis featured some of our members in his BA degree show, held at the Old Truman Brewery in Brick Lane from June 4th to 8th. Take a look at Rokas's impressive work. The 'Moustache' section is the one you're after.
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AGM 2009 - The Lear Report |
 © 2009 Tom Cutler
The Handlebar Club 2009 AGM took place in Edinburgh in early April, and Andy Lear recounts his experiences - or at least those he can remember.... |
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The Swedish Moustache Club's 25th Anniversary. |
The Svenska Mustaschklubben is based in Malmö, Sweden, and was founded in 1984 by Swedish members of the Handlebar Club. 2009 sees their 25th Anniversary celebrations, which take place on 4/5th September in the Swedish city of Köping, near Stockholm. There's more about the club on their Web site. Click on the Union Jack for the English translation. |
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New Prime Handlebar announced |
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For many years the Handlebar Club appointed a "Prime Handlebar". George Hoffman was the first, being appointed at the inaugural meeting of the club in 1947. Thanks to a previous AGM's decision to resurrect this ancient office, this year's meeting in Edinburgh saw the hallowed trophy presented for the first time in recent memory.
And The Winner Is... more...
Steve Parsons
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The British Beard Club meets |
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A dozen Beardsmen (and Woman!) of the British Isles met for the first time to drink and discuss their new Club's constitution in a City of London Pub on Friday 13th February. David Dade's report on their Web site chronicles the event. You may see a familiar face here, and there...
David Dade
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The Month Formerly Known as November |
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As part of the Handlebar Club's commitment to Movember, the charity dedicated to growing moustaches to raise funds and awareness for men's health, your Club's President and Secretary gallantly attended the Movember Gala party as celebrity moustache prowess judges with allegedly expert knowledge of the 'Mo'.
Steve Parsons' report shows us just how difficult their job was, and reveals the contest winner on the night in a terrifying conclusion!
Steve Parsons
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Hair – Who Let The Dogs Out? |
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Back in November 2008 several intrepid members of the Handlebar Club shared the bill at an event at The Wellcome Collection in London with a number of pedigree show dogs. Steve Parsons' report tells how the fur flew, and we see an unexpected prospective member proving that the event was an unusual evening to celebrate all that is weird and wonderful about hair.
Steve Parsons
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The British Beard Club's First Meeting on February 13 2009 |
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Prospective members of The British Beard Club will meet on Friday 13th February to commence the new Club's formation. There has been interest from beard enthusiasts from all over the British Isles; from London, Southern, Eastern, Northern and Middle England, the West Country, the Scottish Highlands and Lowlands, Wales, Northern Ireland, France, Belgium, the East and West coasts of the USA and from Canada.
Some of those beard enthusiasts who are interested in creating and joining the new Club will meet each other and the founder of The British Beard Club, David Dade for an informal first meeting at The Cockpit, St. Andrew's Hill, London, EC4V 5BY in Blackfriars, London on 13th February 2009 from 6:30 pm. The Cockpit is a small-scale City real-ale pub with hand-pumps, and has a very friendly and intimate atmosphere. It's reported that their Scotch Eggs are also not to be missed!
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Search for BBC1 National Lottery gameshow contestants |
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Television production company Endemol is looking for contestants from the Handlebar Club membership for their BBC1 National Lottery game show 1 vs 100. Vanda Kettelhut of Endemol says:
"1 vs 100 is an exciting quiz show, in its fourth series, presented by Ben Shepherd on the BBC. The show follows a simple format and pits one person against 100 others in a battle of brains with the chance to win a big cash prize. We are currently looking for people 18 years or older with great personalities and a good general trivia knowledge, to take part in the show."
"You don't need to be the brain of Britain; 1 vs 100 is a fun, light-entertainment quiz show for all the family to enjoy. If you or your colleagues would like the chance to win a big cash prize you can request an application form by emailing 1v100-3@endemoluk.com".
Steve Parsons
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An Idea Is Born - The British Beard Club |
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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.
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European Beard and Moustache Championships 2008 Report |
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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
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Atters' Stars on Canvas Charity Auction |
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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
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Europameisterschaft der Bärte - European Beard Championships 2008 |
 Die schönsten Bärte Europas Click on the logo above to see this year's competitors |
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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
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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
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Farewell to Brian Parsons, Handlebar Club Member |
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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. |
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The Chap Olympiad |
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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
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North American Beard and Moustache Championship Report |
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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
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That Uncle with the Handlebar Moustache and the Magic Dice |
1948 - Irene McMullen greets George Hoffman as he arrives in Toronto
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Frank Miles of Toronto, Canada writes to us with this tribute to his late uncle, George Hoffman, who joined the Handlebar Club in 1947.
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Antwerp Moustache of the Year 2008 |
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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
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2008 AGM Report - Imperial Moustaches get all steamed up in Hythe |
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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
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Charity enjoys a hair tonic from The Argus 27th February 2008, published in Brighton, East Sussex |
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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. |
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Farewell to Conway Chiles, President of the Handlebar Club |
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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
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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