Dinner @ Wrag Barn – 2

On Saturday 16 June 2018, 29 hashers scrubbed up well and followed the paper trail laid by Keith Pinder which led to the bar at Wrag Barn Golf and Country Club, Highworth.

The celebration of 20 years of KVH3 Hashing, had been rearranged from March when the Hash ‘Do’ at The Highwayman had to be cancelled due to the snowy weather. And what a contrast – this time we enjoyed a beautiful summer evening with views of the Golf Club and countryside from the triple aspect windows. A few ventured onto the verandah, though it was a bit blowy for most of us.

After a delicious meal, efficiently served by the friendly Wrag Barn staff, Keith (our current Grand Old Master – aka GOM) filled us in on the history of the KVH3 Hash, which was founded back in 1998 by Mike Fisher. The first hash, in March 1998 had 40 runners and a photo in the Marlborough Times. Keith must have had a lot of time on his hands, because he’s worked out that since then, 541 trails have been laid, covering 2,700 miles. Of those 541 hashes, Mike has laid the most, at 79, 12 of which were in the first year. What determination to get the KVH3 up and running! The KVH3 has visited 227 different pubs, the most used being The Horseshoe at Mildenhall (11 times). There have been 6 GOMs (5 Masters and 1 Mistress), who are all still hashing. – Mike Fisher, Jeremy Rees, Brian Lovell, Maurice, Keith himself and Margaret Bradbury. We are grateful to them all for keeping the KV3H going strong.

Sadly three of our great friends and committed hashers have passed away. Keith, Jackie and Brian will always be missed and remembered with affection by hashers who had the privilege to know them.

As has become a hash tradition, no expense was spared on the entertainment – it was provided ‘in house’.

Mike kicked off by singing unaccompanied (and in tune), ‘The King of Beotia’ from Orpheus in the Underworld by Offenbach, followed by ‘Departing Glass’, a song popular in the 17th century.

Kathy made us laugh with two poems, delivered in the relevant local accents. The delightful ‘Ode to Barry Island’ by Max Boyce, then the inciteful ‘They Should Have asked my Husband’ by Pam Ayres.

We enjoyed a bit of a sing along to Keith and his guitar – including ‘I’m Gonna Be’, made famous by the Proclaimers, ‘Black Velvet Band’, ‘Drunken Sailor’ and ‘The Wild Rover’.

Alas, Maurice was stuck at Thessaloniki airport, so the pleasure of hearing his poems will have to wait for another time.

On behalf of everyone present, Margaret thanked Keith for organising such an enjoyable evening. Anne Fisher thanked Margaret for the table decorations, and Keith for being a caring, approachable, hardworking and conscientious GOM whose attention to detail is legendary. Thanks to all the entertainers, not forgetting the Hares, Jeremy who updates the website and to anyone who’s ever written a Hash mag.

Sadly a lovely evening spent in good company came to an end all too soon. On On!