EPISKOPI HASH HOUSE HARRIERS CYPRUS

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.

 

The Annual Run Stats for 2021 are in!

Click Run Stats 2021

Hash Words does not accept responsibility for any errors or omissions in the Stats unless written on the back of a €20 note!!!

The Inauguration of the 56th On Pres' Marshall Hughes.

Summer Runs with the Hash!

 

 

The First Hundred Days and Beyond

In most organisations it is customary to review progress after 100 days in office and my tenure will reach that milestone at Run 3055 on Tuesday 19th July.

 

At the inauguration ceremony back in April we held an auction of late member Nobby Hall’s Hash memorabilia, which raised 200 euros for his nominated charity. We celebrated St. George’s Day and the following week a large number of hashers turned out to bid farewell to Deaney Kemp, late wife of hasher Trevor. On that occasion the Hash organised a collection and at Trevor’s request we made a donation of 510 euros to the Cyprus Association of Cancer Patients and Friends, with the monies raised being used on their prostate and testicular cancer campaigns.

 

In May we welcomed guest runner Jamie Kirby, son of the late hasher Andy Kirby who spread Andy’s ashes at the RV in the bondu above Paramali, after a moving and particularly apposite reading from Mike Woods. On On Andy. In early June, Run 3048 celebrated both D-Day and the Platinum Jubilee at Hashers Cove, Melanda. On that occasion we hosted 2 guests from the Nassau Hash in the Bahamas. The Hares pulled out all the stops that day, bringing fish and chips to the RV from Pissouri and it was a splendid afternoon and evening. Special thanks are due to Simon Carroll and Laurie Mitchell for organising that particular event. More recently we learned the very sad news that Michael’s Tavern in Erimi was closing its doors for good on Saturday 16th July as Michael has decided to retire after 33 years at the helm of this famous establishment. Michael’s has been a favourite venue of the Epi Hash for decades and to give him a fitting farewell, the run list was hastily reorganised to bring us back to Michael’s one last time on the 12th July. Messages of thanks and congratulations poured in from former hashers around the world and these were passed on to Michael in a rousing and fitting farewell. Truly, the end of an era. You can see pictures and video from that night on our Facebook page, courtesy of Hash Words.  On 16th July we had our first Open Run of the summer, again at Hashers Cove, Melanda.

 

Looking to the future, we have the annual Hash Boat Trip coming up on Friday 2nd September and thanks go to Dave Norris for organising this. The following month sees the Epi Hash reach its 55th anniversary and planning is in the early stages for a weekend of events to mark this significant milestone. Past Epi hashers are very welcome to join us over the 14th – 16th October for the celebrations. Please note the date in your diaries.

 

When the clocks go back in the autumn, we will once again be into cooler weather and winter runs with Hash Ash being called up on to perform his annual duties. Finally, the Happy Valley Hash will be celebrating its 1000th run in November and all hashers will be invited to attend their celebrations. Details will follow in due course.

 

On On,

 

Marshall Hughes

56th On Pres