Welcome to Episkopi Hash House Harriers
The Episkopi Hash is one of the last gentlemen only hashes left in the world. Why gentlemen only? Well, initially when founded in 1967 by three military types from Episkopi base that was the norm for hashes. Now most of our members are of retirement age and are driven out of the house each Tuesday to give our Harriets time to themselves. How many marriages we have saved is incalculable !!
We are these days very much an informal group of mates who meet every Tuesday afternoon for a little exercise and socialising afterwards. We are, of course, always eager to meet new mates who fancy a bit of exercise. We run, jog or walk in the beautiful Cyprus countryside for around 5 km. Following a pre-laid route, known as a trail, and this is designed for most levels of fitness – shortcutting is allowed and indeed encouraged by the hares who control the run.
The run or walk takes about 45 mins. In the summer and an hour in the winter but is rarely on flat terrain as we avoid like the plague, any tarmac or built up areas.
Hashing as it is known began in the 1930’s amongst ex-pats in the Far East who decided that they needed to take some exercise and so began the phenomenon which grew into 3000 clubs worldwide. Essentially it is a paper chase and you might have done one at school or seen it like me in "The Railway Children". However to make it non-competitive and ensure that it caters for most levels of fitness hares go out the day before the hash and lay 2 trails one for the runners, joggers and plodders and one for the walkers. Then the participants (hounds) follow one of these trails, with guidance (shortcuts) being given as required by the hares.
The whole emphasis of a Hash is to exercise in an informal way without any competitive pressures and then to relax afterwards with mates over a nice cool beer or soft drink. After a suitable time of taking refreshments at the end of the run/walk we always go to a taverna for a local meal to round off the day. Being such a social club, we throughout the year, have a range of events that include our Better Halves be they on the beach (we know many deserted ones) or up in the hills. These events are either catered or we bring picnics.
Happy New Year!
The Annual Run Stats for 2019 are in!
Click Link
Hash Words does not accept responsibility for any errors or omissions in the Stats unless written on the back of a €20 note!!!
Can someone tell Nogsie its 2020, not 1920?
AUBREY O'CALLAGHAN - On Pres Number 54 - Missive No 3
It’s again time to update you on what has been happening and some changes in the administration. We have had some great events, tempered by some sad matters.
Peter Hogg’s death on 3rd. November came as a shock to all hashers. Peter was a stalwart member of our hash. His recent crits on the exploits of “Wullie the Heid” will be sorely missed. His funeral was well attended by hashers, friends, and colleagues from the ABF. Peter was a strong supporter of the ABF being both treasurer and chair for many years in Cyprus
Tony has taken over as Runmaster, as Ben is taking an extended vacation out of Cyprus. Ben, thank you for your great work cajoling hashers to hare.
Paul has recently been ill, and is in UK for a while, we wish him a speedy recovery. Nogsie has taken over as Hash Cash. On-On Nogsie
Hash flash, Tony, has continued to keep us updated on the latest antics during our runs.
Jim as Beermaster is continuing to keep us supplied with beer, not an easy job as he has to estimate the attendance each week and plan to get those beers cold.
Nev, Hash-Ash, is keeping us warm when we return from our runs. His setup of wood would put many sculptors to shame. It’s almost a travesty to set fire to his magnificent work!
Simon has taken over as Words and has been busy with our website. He has updated the run statistics, don’t forget to check if you get a mention in “New Year's ’Onners” (see under the “History” tab). Simon has added pages for the 3000th run, this page will be filled during the coming weeks as we plan the activities.
We now have a hash historian, Mike J, who has been scouring the archives for fascinating snippits, these can be found on our website under “Tales from the Crypt”. On-On, Mike!
Please speak to Mike J. who is also looking after our haberdashery; orders can be filled quickly if stock is not available. Orders have been slow over the last few months.
The Christmas Party on the 13th December was well attended by some 38 hashers and harriets. As a black tie evening it was challenging to identify hashers in their DJs, somewhat different from Tuesday afternoons! The harriets were, as usual, ravishing!
Christmas Eve fell on a Tuesday, there was limited attendance for this in Pissouri, but those who did come along were rewarded with mince pies and brandy.
Christmas was followed by an open Boxing Day run, unfortunately the previous inclement weather meant that very few hashers from Epi and other district hashers attended what turned out to be a perfect afternoon.
The usual Brighton Shiverers run on New Year’s Day was well attended. The Gluhwein organized by Mary & Mike Borner (On-On) proved to be a good incentive for the swimmers to enter the water. Weather was great and a wonderful time was enjoyed by all.
The coming winter months have wonderful opportunities. We have the Saints runs coming along, and this year St. Patrick’s Day (17th March) falls on a Tuesday.
We’re all looking forward to the 6 Nations Rugby Tournament; it will give an opportunity for some jovial ribbing around the fire.
Later in the year we will reach the 3000th run of Epi Hash. We plan to celebrate this on Tuesday 6th October together with activities being planned for the weekend before.
All that remains is to wish hashers a healthy and active 2020
On-On