HomePastThese Old School Moustaches Put Modern Day Movember Efforts To Shame
These Old School Moustaches Put Modern Day Movember Efforts To Shame
1955
It has taken 70-year-old Mr John Roy of Weeley , Essex , 31 years to grow his moustache to the amazing length of 6ft when it is uncurled . he claims it is the longest tash in the world. A former licensee of the Cock Inn , Beazley End , Essex , John is president of Britain’s Handle Bar Club. The club at present is 100 strong is seeking to recruit new members particularly for the clubs Essex branch which has only five members in addition to Mr Roy. It is not necessary to have a vast tash in order to become a member. The only requirement is that it should be of graspable extremities and no beard.
TopFoto / Retronaut / mediadrumimages.com
By Mark McConville
INCREDIBLE images have revealed an old school moustache club whose facial hair would put today’s Movember participants to shame.
The stunning pictures, as revealed by the website Retronaut, show 70-year-old Mr John Roy whose six-foot-long moustache took him 31 years to grow, ex-RAF pilot Alan Gear winning the Handlebar Club’s cup for prime handle bar in 1949 with his eight-and-a-half inch moustache and Gear surrounded by other members at the second annual dinner of the club in Fleet Street in 1949.
The owner of the champion ‘wing span’ and the runners-up at The Handlbar Club’s Second Annual Dinner. Former RAF Pilot Alan Gear seen in centre surrounded by other members during the second annual dinner of the Handlebar Club in Fleet Street. Alan Gear won the club’s cup for the best growth of 1949. 1 April 1949. TopFoto / Retronaut / mediadrumimages.com
Other striking shots show Edward Hooker with his nine-and-a-third inch moustache throwing a four-foot-long dart during a match between the Handlebars Club and Victory Club and members toasting George Hoffman whose eight-and-a-quarter inch moustache was Canada bound.
The Handlebar Club – whose membership is confined to moustaches with ” graspable extremities” , is losing its ” Prime Handlebar ” . Holder of the title Goerge Hoffman of St Albans is emigrating to Canada and taking his 8 1/4 inches of moustache along with him . Picture shows: Members of The Handlebar Club toast George Hoffman whose moustache is Canada bound. 16 June 1948. TopFoto / Retronaut / mediadrumimages.com
The Handlebar Club’s membership was confined to moustaches with ‘graspable extremities’ and boasted 100 members when Mr John Roy was president.
They sought to recruit new members, particularly for the club’s Essex branch where Roy was one of only six members.
A moustache with a “wing span” of 8 1/2 ins, has won its owner, ex RAF pilot Alan Gear, the Handlebar Club’s cup for the prime handle bar of 1949. It was presented to him by the President, Raymond Glendening , the famous Commentator. Photo Shows: “a yard and a half of moustache”. This group includes many of the well-known personalities who are members of the clubs, Roff the cartoonist, Raymond Glendening , and Jimmie Edwards. 21 March 1949. TopFoto / Retronaut / mediadrumimages.com
The remarkably long moustaches are something most participants of Movember could only dream of.
A moustache with a “wing span” of 8 1/2 ins, has won its owned, ex RAF pilot Alan Gear, the Handlebar Club’s cup for the prime handle bar of 1949. It was presented to him by the President, Raymond Glendening , the famous Commentator. Photo Shows: L to R, Raymond Glendening measuring the winner’s moustache 10 ins, – John Roy of Glasgow stands by. He forgot to make his entry in time, and it was found that he would have won the cup with 11 ins. 31 March 1949. TopFoto / Retronaut / mediadrumimages.com
Movember is an annual event involving the growing of moustaches during the month of November to raise awareness of men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s suicide.
The Movember Foundation runs the Movember charity event, housed at Movember.com. The goal of Movember is to “change the face of men’s health.”
Members of the Handlebars Club , including Raymond Glendening , their president , visited the Victory Club (ex-services) , in Seymour Street , Marble Arch , London , for a darts match against the clubs team . A four ft dart was made available for the match. Photo Shows: Mr Edward Hooker with his 9 1/3 inch handlebar moustache , throwing the four ft dart during the match. 18 July 1949. TopFoto / Retronaut / mediadrumimages.com
By encouraging men (whom the charity refers to as “Mo Bros”) to get involved, Movember aims to increase early cancer detection, diagnosis and effective treatments, and ultimately reduce the number of preventable deaths. Besides annual check-ups, the Movember Foundation encourages men to be aware of family history of cancer and to adopt a healthier lifestyle.
It has taken 70-year-old Mr John Roy of Weeley , Essex , 31 years to grow his moustache to the amazing length of 6ft when it is uncurled . he claims it is the longest tash in the world. A former licensee of the Cock Inn , Beazley End , Essex , John is president of Britain’s Handle Bar Club. The club at present is 100 strong is seeking to recruit new members particularly for the clubs Essex branch which has only five members in addition to Mr Roy. It is not necessary to have a vast tash in order to become a member. The only requirement is that it should be of graspable extremities and no beard. TopFoto / Retronaut / mediadrumimages.com
