Handlebar Club A.G.M.

A most enjoyable time was had in Tonbridge. The meeting was quite well attended.
(Place your mouse pointer over the picture to see the names)

MOUSTACHE CLUB: President Ted Sedman (left) with vice-president and treasurer
Mike Solomons at the Handlebar Club meeting

International Meet of Moustaches

A MULTITUDE of magnificent moustached men invaded Tonbridge on Friday for an international meeting of facial hair fanatics.
Whiskers of all shapes and sizes were proudly displayed by Handlebar Club members at their annual general meeting at the Rose and Crown Hotel in High Street.
The 12-strong group, or "nest" to enthusiasts, waxed lyrical on the year's events and visits before joining their wives for a meal.
Founded in 1947 by comedian and second world war pilot Jimmy Edwards, the club aims to "bring together moustache-wearers socially for sport and general conviviality".

Styling with hairspray or wax was a hot topic of discussion among American members who arrived from Germany after taking part in the European Handlebar Moustache Championships. Contestants were marked on grooming in dolly, Hungarian, natural and freestyle categories.
Upper lip hair with "grippable extremities" is the only condition of becoming a handlebar but beard-growing is banned.
President Ted Sedman, owner of the longest moustache in Britain, said: "Patience and self denial are required to grow a good handlebar moustache."

The Sevenoaks Chronicle featured local member André Acres and his wife Kath who organised the weekend events for us.

HAPPY HANDLEBARS: André Acres toasts his resplendent top lip with wife Kath.

Patience, chaps, and you could have a 'grippable extremity' just like this

A MULTITUDE of magnificent moustachioed men arrived on Friday for an international meeting of facial hair fanatics, writes Jenny Pickering.
Whiskers of all shapes and sizes were proudly displayed by Handlebar Club members at their annual meeting.
Styling with hairspray or wax was a hot topic of discussion among members who arrived from Germany after taking part in the European Handlebar Moustache Championships. Contestants were marked on grooming in dolly, Hungarian, natural and freestyle categories.
The 12-strong group - or "nest of men" to enthusiasts - waxed lyrical, at the Rose and Crown Hotel in Tonbridge High Street about their upper lip hair with "grippable extremities" - the only condition of becoming a handlebar member. But beard-growing is banned.

Kath Acres, from Dunton Green, who is married to 72-year-old member André said: "Someone was once thrown out of a committee meeting for turning up with a beard. They take the rules very seriously."
President Ted Sedman, owner of the longest moustache in Britain, said: "You need patience and self denial to grow a good handlebar moustache.
"They are less fashionable these days, but they can be very stylish. It. would be nice to see some of the young chaps having a go at wearing them".
The club was founded in 1947 by comedian and Second World War pilot Jimmy Edwards and aims to "bring together moustache-wearers socially for sport and general conviviality".
Membership peaked in the 1950s and 1960s to about 200 but has now dropped and the club is seeking a new generation of moustache growers.

It took some time to work out what a "dolly" moustache was. Then it clicked. Perhaps our diction wasn't very clear, but my theory is that the reporter had a problem interpreting her shorthand version of "Dali"!