Competition razes £1k for Movember

The event, in its second year, was again hosted by the Albion, George Street, Hastings on Saturday (December 5).

Organised by Brian and Vanessa McNeilly the range of real and fake beards and moustaches were a sight to behold.

Brian says the day was a great success with the competition attracting just under 50 entrants. “The event was really busy with a lot of on-lookers wanting to see the sights,” he said,

“The Ladies False Beard section was very cool with some amazing homemade beards! We even had Marion Rolph turn up and enter as her son Alfie as he was not in Hastings!”

The competition raised £958 with a further donation of £43 making a grand total of £1,001 for men’s cancer charity, Movember.

Brian added: “The bands supporting us all played brilliant music, Earl Grey, King Size Slim and The HayStringers. This was the first live gig for the band including ‘Last Train to Hastings’ brilliant. Also Eddie Hardwick for DJ’ing through the event.

“To raise more money Jack Hobbs volunteered to have his beard shaved off by Jason Fellows from Fellows Barbers, George Street. And later Best in Show winner David Woolf donated his moustache and beard in tribute to Brad Gross a local man who sadly died recently. We raised a further £300 for this which will be kept until a decision is made on what to do with the money.

“We would like to thank all prize donations and supporters of the event. Neilly’s, The Albion, Mr Fellows, The Property Pad. The Dragon, Two Bulls, The St Leonard, The Palace Bar, Seed, Maggies Chip Shop, Seagate and all the staff at the Albion. Without this sort of help, events like this would be hard to put on or be so successful.”

Winners: Full Long Beard Sam Earey; Full Beard Short Carlos Fitzpatrick; Partial Beard Paul Collins; Styled Beard

Slawomir Kubik; Moustache David Woolf; Free Style Beard David Woolf; False Beard Gemma Dearman.