Just type the word 'hashing' into your browser to get over 5 million references. There is a hash in every country in the world. Hashers are mad, hashes have no rules. After you have hashed a few times you become eligible to be 'named'. A hasher has two names - his hash 'handle' and his real-life name or 'nerd' name.
And so it came to pass that a certain Jim Campbell came to the Teign Valley Hash in 1986. He had 'retired' from competitive athletics in 1972 when he could boast a little athletic talent. Ranked in the top fifty UK athletes ranking lists for 1500 metres, one mile (4 minutes 4 seconds), 3000 metres steeplechase and 10,000 metres, Jim Campbell had qualified for the Southern Counties 1500 metres final in 1971 with a spectacular 54 second last 400 metres, matching strides with the mighty Jim Douglas, who had gone on to break the UK 1500 metres record two weeks later.
After six hashes, Jim was presented to the hash for a naming. Names are usually awarded for two reasons - doing something singularly silly or noteworthy, usually on trail. There is a tendency to give an embarrassing or derogatory name - so the nominee is usually nervous for the name will last forever with no recourse to appeal.
Jim Campbell awaited the verdict. The hashers present were puzzled and an unusual silence prevailed until Pottsie - the senior hasher aka 'The Great Hash God' spoke.
"Well, Jim's an athlete, he's broken two world records so it's a no-brainer .... BLUEBIRD! "(Donald Campbell)
And it was echoed through the ranks of hashers - a most unusual hash name, equivalent some say to an A1 car number plate.
Bluebird's 'LAST BIRTHDAY HASH' will take place Bank Holiday Monday May 6th from the Thatched Tavern commencing at 7:15 pm. More details upcoming.
Wednesday, May 01, 2013
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