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The origins and the history of
Hashing |
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The history of
Tamar Valley Hash House Harriers and some useful guidelines
(there are no rules) |
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What is a ‘Red Dress Run’ |
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What is the ‘Brown Gin Run’ |
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How to set a Hash! |
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What the signs means, and how
to respond to them |
The Hash House Harriers as we know it today
was founded in Malaysia by Albert Stephen Ignatius Gispert,
an English chartered accountant.
A.S.I. Gispert
(1903-1942)
The
first run was held in in December 1938 and the founding members included Cecil
H. Lee, Frederick "Horse" Thomson, Eric Galvin, H.M. Doig, and Ronald "Torch" Bennet. The group's name came about primarily because
local authorities required legal registration of the club. While the
"Kuala Lumpur Harriers" would have appeared a logical choice,
"G" decided instead to use the nickname for the Selangor Club where a
number of the local harriers both lived and took their meals. It seems that due
to its lacklustre food, the dining room was commonly referred to as the
"Hash House”.
The Original "Hash House," Kuala
Lumpur, circa 1938
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The philosophy
of the original Hash House Harriers from the 1938 charter: · To promote
physical fitness among our members. · To get rid of
weekend hangovers. · To acquire a
good thirst and to satisfy it in beer. · To persuade the
older members that they are not as old as they feel. |
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TAMAR VALLEY HASH HOUSE HARRIERS
The Drinking Club with a Running Problem
Here are a few suggestions and explanations
which may help a newcomer to enjoy the Hash but first and foremost please bear
in mind that hashing is supposed to be fun and don't ever take it
seriously:
1.
Hashing is totally
non-competitive although someone has to be first. If by some fluke you
manage to find
yourself in this unfortunate position (or anywhere near it ), yell "ON,
ON" until you are exhausted enough to fall back to your rightful place in
the pack. These calls are not designed to help you but the poor unfortunate at
the rear who can then shortcut back to the pack. The sounding of the HASH HORN
achieves the same aim for all but the stone deaf.
2.
If it is your misfortune to
arrive first at a check, don't sit down and rest, or stand about like a wet
weed, but look for the new trail and shout "CHECKING" loud and often.
If you find an X
announce "CHECK BACK" equally loudly and if you find an
arrow shout “ON ON “.
3.
The "social pack" retains
its superiority by the deployment of its greater intelligence. Short cutting
from the rear is to be positively encouraged and a united pack is far better
for warding off homicidal landowners and rabid Rottweilers
as well as forcing the publican's arm if you arrive back at the pub early.
4.
Short cutting from the front is
NOT ALLOWED (one of the very few firm rules of hashing - actually there are no
rules!).
5.
Move at your own pace. Ignore the
FRBs (FRONT RUNNING BASTARDS) who urge you to go faster. If you should fall
behind, try a ‘short cut’. If your tactic is successful you may be accused by a
jealous FRB of being an SCB - a SHORT CUTTING BASTARD. If so, just ignore it;
such accusations merely confirm your superior abilities.
6.
Always try to keep at least one
hasher between you and anything which looks at all fierce such as bulls,
pit-bull terriers, landed gentry, geese and pigs.
7.
If you hear the cry
"LOOKING" it means that the trail has disappeared into thin air. This could be due to several reasons: The Hares playing silly Bs
or simply running out of dust, the trail being washed out by rain or an attack
of dust blindness by the front runners. Usually in this event the pack will
spread out and the trail is soon located.
8.
If you wish to know what the hell
is going on up front, call "ARE YOU?" which should evoke the response
"CHECKING", "CHECK BACK", "LOST DUST" or even
"LOST".
9.
Please don't shout too loud near
animals. They don't like it. If cows, horses or sheep appear to about to
stampede, WALK, don't
run. An insurance claim for an animal like Desert Orchid could bankrupt
the Hash insurance company let alone the Hash.
Yes, your Hash may carry insurance but remember it's for third party
damages, not a personal accident policy for you.
10.
Keep your dogs on leads and away
from other runners’ legs.
11.
If you damage fences or gates,
try to effect some sort of repair before running on
and, most important of all, NEVER LEAVE GATES OPEN.
Transgressions
of this and any other "crimes" committed during the hash will be
drawn to the attention of the Grand Master or Mattress who will mete out some
dire punishment at the On Down.
Hash
Cash of £2.00 is expected from everyone - hashers, walkers and virgins - this
covers your hash and beer.
When
Monday isn’t Monday unless you are knee deep in shiggy
you will be encouraged to become a member - then your run totals can be
recorded bringing you wondrous trophies and your hash name can be
pondered. Most hashers are named when
they have done something stupid enough to earn it.
The
Hash Mag is the magazine published weekly; it reports on the previous Hash and
may include elements of truth, it also advertises future events. Treat it as an honour if the Scribe Master
asks you to produce the esteemed and highly valued publication.
BERLARI LAGI ADA SIHAT DAN MARI HIDUP
RUNNING AGAIN AND LET’S HAVE A HEALTHY HEART
ON ON !!!
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TVH3’s first Hash was in 1981
for which we have the founder members Chris Laurence-King ‘Bloodnock’, Sara Laurence-King ‘Shortcut’ and Simon Trehane ‘Trehanrehan’ to thank.
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According to
hash lore, a newcomer in San Diego was invited to a hash; unbeknownst to her
it was a running group, and she attended the run in a red dress instead of running
clothes. After being mocked for wearing such an outfit she ran the hash
anyway. Other hashers began wearing red dresses as a joke and the tradition
soon became an annual event that spread across the world. It is now recognised as an ideal opportunity
for raising funds for local charities. |
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![Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Pew Tor 26th July (12)[1]](HASH%20HISTORY_files/image004.jpg)
Held
annually, in October, in memory of Angus Colville who loved a drop of Whisky
(or Brown Gin as he called it). Agnes was the perfect English gentleman, adventurer
and sportsman. Living in Tavistock he
was actively involved with many local interest groups including Tavistock RFC, Devon young rugby
referees, Kelly college choral society, and the church choir amongst others
(he’s responsible for how we sing Happy Birthday!). Cycling to as many hashes as possible wearing
odd socks and two ties, he would always choose the most wet and muddy trail,
but then be modest about his achievements.
Despite discovering he was diabetic on a trans-Atlantic sail boat crossing
during which he became seriously ill, he never stopped his many and varied
pursuits. Unfortunately he was mugged
and killed in Guatemala
on one such adventure en-route to the airport to return to the
UK.
He is remembered as our Life Pee’er.
WHEN SETTING A HASH, REMEMBER:-
"The aim of the Hash is to provide
healthy relaxation, combined with a modicum of exercise which develops the
sense of humour. The Hash is a non-competitive Monday madness in which all men
and women should be equal and which preserves the right of every person to
revel in their own foolery”.
Bloodnock Chapter V Verse XII
1.
Plan a run roughly before
offering your services to the Hare Master, telling him/her where you plan to
run so that they can tell you if anyone else intends to run in that area. Offer before they have to chase you!
2.
It makes sense for inexperienced
Hares to help experienced Hares for a run or two to learn the ropes.
3.
Try to find an area we haven't
run in recently. Work out a route on the map. Consider car parking, On Down,
suitability of terrain for season/darkness, shortcuts, false trails etc.
Remember that length isn't everything.
4.
In winter, stick largely to
roads, well defined tracks/paths. In summer run across country keeping roads to
a minimum, but still use sheep tracks etc.
5.
Walk the run, see which footpaths
are ploughed up or filled with dead washing machines etc. Talk to landowners
for permission to run across their land. Some landowners give useful
advice. Inform Dartmoor Ranger, if on
moor. Revise run if necessary (the Forestry Commission is a Landlord!)
6.
You don't have to choose a pub
for the start of the run, unless it really is the best place to start from.
This is very rare! We can drive to the pub after the run.
7.
Ask pub Landlord if we can use
pub for On Down. Tell him what number of people to expect, and that some will
want food. Get numbers from On Sec. If the landlord won't do food, go
elsewhere.
8.
Aim to keep all runners together
as much as possible. Be devious; include long/short runs, loops, checks etc. To
achieve this, try to include a very short run for the less fit, ill, ancient or
infirm.
9.
DEADLINE TWO WEEKS BEFORE RUN
Tell Hare Master and Web Master (a) Start, including grid
reference/direction and (b) On Down, so that the information can be put on the website.
10.
All runners should return to
bucket in about one hour. Run the route to ensure that this is feasible.
11.
Leave yourself plenty of time to
lay the flour/sawdust. It takes much longer than you think - all of one day!
Don‘t lay the trail on the Saturday and expect it to be still there on Monday
night. If you have time, inspect on the Monday and replace any flour/sawdust
washed away/vandalised/eaten by slugs or animals.
12.
Lay flour/sawdust (avoid using
self-raising flour, it doesn’t go very far) in blobs
at regular intervals. Use lots of dust! We are supposed to be following a trail
not playing hunt the dust! Make sure the- dust is very visible and will not be
washed away. The dust is easier to follow, especially in the dark, if it is on
the same side of the roads/tracks for the entire run, and is very close to the
road edge. This includes signs.
13.
Flour/sawdust signs are:-
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On! On! |
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Checking |
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Check back (on false
trails) |
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L S |
Where the long and
short runs divide |
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ON HOME |
The bucket is within
about 400 metres |
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Do not introduce new signs unless
you really know what you're doing and you are going to
be at the sign to marshal.
14.
It appears that 10 to 12 checks
keep the pack together fairly well.. Try to make them
devious, ie,,the correct
trail should not be the obvious one most of the ti.me. Check backs should not
be more than 300 yards from the check. Do not hide the crosses.
15.
Do not put one check after
another without an On On as it inhibits shouting and
therefore slows up the slower runners.
16.
One Hare should marshal the run,
preferably on foot, to deal with any confusion. The other Hare may assist with
this but must be back early at the bucket, to check people in etc. First Hare
to sweep up at rear of the pack.
17.
Remember that you are trying to
be devious; leading them astray, not letting them wander from confusion to
chaos.
18. Make sure you get the drinks bucket from the previous week's hares.
19.
Check everybody in at the start
and record everything on the Hare List (The Harelist can be
downloaded from the website, at the bottom of the home page). Collect £2.00 and
keys etc. Everyone pays £2.00 including visitors. First time visitors and children are not charged.
20.
Briefings should be short, loud
and relevant ie, gates, sheep, dogs on leads, barbed
wire etc.
21.
Check everyone in at finish,
organise beer and search parties if anyone is missing.
22.
Fill in the rest of the Harelist,
give the cash and the Harelist to Hash Cash or the Web Master. The remaining drinks to be given to the next Hares. Clear up any
litter.
23.
Please do not order any
entertainment (bands, discos, buskers etc) without
conferring with the Committee.
1.
Check in and pay up then listen
to the briefing (handy for recriminations later).
2.
Call On! On! Whenever you see
sawdust and you are sure that you are on. Remember you are only on after seeing
an arrow.
3.
Hash signs as in Hares
instructions:
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Means that there are false trails and you have
to find the correct trail. |
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Means
you found the wrong one. Call "Check Back" |
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Means
you found the right one. Call "On On"
loudly |
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OH |
Means
you are nearing the end of the hash, shout "On Home" and sprint
finish (smile as you arrive at the bucket anyway). |
4.
Hash calls - "On On" and "Checking" are obvious. If you have
just lost the sawdust but haven't come to a check you are not
"Checking" but "Looking".
5.
Do some checking! Don’t leave it
all to the keenies. Check in pairs, especially in the
dark, so you won't miss the check back and its more fun anyway. Shout 'Checking".
6.
Break the checking circle in the
right direction when the "On On" is called,
to aid slower runners/latecomers. If you find the arrow make sure the Hashers
behind you kick out the circle.
7.
Keep the Hasher behind you in
view, especially in the winter. How would you like to be new, slow, cold, wet
and lost! If you are nervous about getting lost carry a mobile phone or a
whistle.
8.
Obey the country code, and keep
dogs on leads at all times! We do have some sort of reputation you know!
9.
CHECK IN IN PERSON AT THE END OF
THE RUN Converse politely at the bucket until all are
gathered in. Search parties get quite annoyed when they find you at the On
Down.
10.
If you bring newcomers make sure
they understand the signs, calls etc. Run with them,
introduce them to a Committee Member.
11.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, GO TO THE ON
DOWN!
When there, don't just sit in a
corner shovelling chips down your throat, chatting to the same boring old
farts; get up, move about, talk to other Hashers especially newcomers. You never
know, we might get an interesting one someday!
On On