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 2022 are in!

Click Run Stats 2022

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!

 

 

 

Seasons’ Greetings

With a new year just around the corner it seems fitting to reflect on the summer and autumn runs completed since my last missive. Whilst I was away in August, my duties were carried by several seasoned hashers who brought their experience and individuality to the role, offering much variety and a welcome change from yours truly. My thanks to them for their contributions.  Run 3055 saw us bid farewell to our second youngest members Nick O’Callaghan, who left the island for the shores of old Blighty; we wish him well. A few weeks later on Run 3059, our youngest member, Joe Mercer, celebrated his 21t birthday shortly before returning to university in the UK. We look forward to seeing both Nick and Joe on the Hash again when they are next back in Cyprus. We also appreciate the significant drop in average age which their attendance brings!

In September, we marked the anniversary of the passing of hasher Jack Blocki, with a short update from his son Mike, on how Jack’s legacy lives on through a scout troop in his native Poland who have adopted him as their local hero. The following week we welcomed back Gary ‘Monty’ Montgomery to Run 3065 after a Covid-induced 3-year absence. It was good to hear his dulcet ‘norniron’ tones again. We also welcomed Helen Hall, wife of the late hasher Nobby Hall, to Run 3066. Helen thanked us for our donation to charity following an auction of his Hash memorabilia last April. We don’t normally have women on the Hash but as a Harriette and a former CPO in the Royal Navy, Helen was well qualified to attend.

In the autumn, incredible and tumultuous events in British politics, together with the passing of Queen Elizabeth II gave much material for consideration at the weekly crits, with the attendant commentaries being both comedic and sombre, respectively.

2022 was also the year of our 55^th anniversary, making us one of the oldest continuously running Hashes in the world. Whilst the actual date was November 13^th 1967, the Open Anniversary Run (3069) was planned for October in the hope of good weather but unfortunately the elements were not kind to us.  Thunderstorms reduced an expected turnout of over 35 people to just 24 hardy hashers. The run and the walk took place then Plan B was then enacted and we repaired to the 3 Keys Tavern (Formerly Steph’s) in Episkopi for drinks and an entertaining crit which drew on the collective memories of 10 former On Pres’s. It was perhaps fitting that we ended up here as Steph’s has been the ‘go to’ venue for many Epi Hash events over the years and we were warmly welcomed by the family.

Run 3070 saw us bid farewell to long-time hasher Nev Rushton. Nev has been running and walking with the Epi Hash for many years and he will be remembered for his colourful Hash attire, odd socks, his passion for the ‘short trail’ and his excellent service over the years as Hash Ash. Nev completed 747 runs and 110 hares for a very respectable ratio of 6.8. We wish Nev and Mo all the very best as they return to Scotland. Thanks also to Mark Foley and Laurie Mitchell who have agreed to share the vacated role of Hash Ash.

November saw your On Pres travelling to the southern hemisphere for family reasons and once again a varied team of able and experienced hashers filled the breach. Finally, as I write, we look forward to the annual Hash Black-tie Xmas Bash, ably organised by Mike Woods. Next we have Christmas, a Boxing Day run and the Brighton Shiverers run to look forward to on New Year’s Day. After that it is “On On” to 2023 and whatever that might hold for the Episkopi Hash House Harriers.

The compliments of the season to you all.

Marshall Hughes

On Pres' #56