On on the trail since 1979
Ancient HashingModern Hash OriginsThe Wessex Starts
The Wessex Hash House Harriers was started on the 7th January 1979 by Ram Seeger; a veteran of the Singapore Hash. He was interviewed by the Echo shortly before the first Wessex run. The article attracted a range of runners and on the first run, from the High Corner Inn, the pack numbered 20:
| Surrey Hash | Pam Bagshaw, Kerry Bagshaw, Jim Raper |
| Barclays Bank | Peter Fuller, Derek Harker, Phil Hooper, David Lund, John Perdrisat |
| Marines | Sue Grant, Clive Grant, Jenny Wiltshire, Hugh Wiltshire |
| Bournemouth AC | Brian James, Simon Crawshay, Paul Hart, James Sheperd |
| Local vet and wife | Sheila Watton, Ron Watton |
| Name Unknown | Lady runner |
| Plus | Penny Seeger, Ram Seeger |
'How the Wessex branch really started - Brian James (Jammy) was very
curious and doubtful about the whole thing per his phone calls prior to the
1st run. He noticed a mysterious ad in the Bournemouth Echo and phoned to
find out who this rival Harriers group were!
It was Ram Seegar who started the whole idea but it was me (Penny) - who hates running - who had to publicise it and get it going. We had thick snow on the day of the first run at the High Corner Inn with the road into the New Forest 1/4 of its width visible. After very few months, Ram went away and made me promise to keep the hash going and that was when we got people to write up the runs and the authors hid their personalities behind nick names, and so it goes on on - fantastic!' - Penny Fairclough (Seeger)
It was Ram Seegar who started the whole idea but it was me (Penny) - who hates running - who had to publicise it and get it going. We had thick snow on the day of the first run at the High Corner Inn with the road into the New Forest 1/4 of its width visible. After very few months, Ram went away and made me promise to keep the hash going and that was when we got people to write up the runs and the authors hid their personalities behind nick names, and so it goes on on - fantastic!' - Penny Fairclough (Seeger)
As a hash we have to put up with some odd characters, members of the mis-management are among the worst offenders of the lot.. There follows a hall of shame detailing the full range of miscreants
| 1979-1982 | Ram Seeger |
| 1982-1984 | Tony "Badger" Wedlake |
| 1984-1986 | Tony "Sharkey" Ward |
| 1986-2003 | Gordon Raggett |
| 2003-2006 | Clive "Clipboard" England |
| 2006-present | Martin "Mr Beaky" Simms |
Those guilty of being truly prolific hashers may be afforded the dubious honour of becoming Honorary or Life Honourary Members:
| Ram Seeger | Founder |
| Penny Fairclough | Founder |
| Tony "Sharkey" Ward | |
| Tony "Badger" Wedlake | Grand Dustmaster 27 years |
| Derek "Von" Harker | |
| Steve Dawson "Ho Chi Minn" |
| Kath Mackie |
| Phil Davies "Ancient Hasher" |
