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Hash 1578 – AVETON GIFFORD

Hoisted by my own petard:

The hash gathered in the boat car park of the Ebb Tide (Fisherman’s Rest) – well, that’s what it used to be called back in the seventies when it was a great night out (Ed. [looooong] before my time… 🤣). It was a fine evening after the day’s miserable weather had moved through.

At the Circle Up there were a few notices by Keeps Tripping about how the committee would resolve the war in two weeks: don’t mention the war! Sorry.

Three virgins were introduced: Kent, Sarah and another lady who Squashed Balls, the RA, forgot to write on the sugar sachet that I’m reading from. (Ed. how does the saying go about a shoddy workman blaming his tools…? 😂😘) 

THEN, the moment to keep your head down and be the grey man: I just went and pushed Know Nuts forward to volunteer for writing The Words (Ed. as any self-respecting hasher would’ve done, of course), much to the amusement of all gathered – but not me, as he had written them a couple of weeks ago (Ed. keep up, Gaffer!) and all eyes turned to me. Dohhh.

Normal lies from the hares, Shaggy and Rusty Bottom, (Ed. which you were clearly listening to with characteristic intent…I’ll try not to feel too wounded that you didn’t notice I wasn’t even at Circle Up, on account of already being en route to my [wholly unnecessary, apparently] posting at the perilous stream…) – and we were off.

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Following the trail on the flood plains of the Avon, there wasn’t a well-trodden path but there was a lot of tuffted grass, known to commandos as babies’ heads (Ed. slightly troubling metaphor…?!). Awaiting us part way along was Shaggy to save us from the torrents of an Avon tributary (little calf-deep stream), much to Jyde’s annoyance (Ed. sorry, Jyde! Just ticking a box…). Out on to a road and then, from a check, up the long climb of Hoppy Green Lane. At the top I caught Dead Man Walking – nice to have a chat and see that he’s still walking (Ed. welcome back, DMW, even if possibly only for a brief, location-motivated cameo!).

Still climbing, the Longs turned right and followed some interesting footpaths past some impressive properties. The hares kept popping up at strategic positions to ensure no one would be lost. After approx. 3 miles came the relief of starting our descent back to the On Down, flying past all the Shorts and Walkers who were discussing the ways of the world and how prices differ in different supermarkets, when they should have been head down and racing like the FRBs (Ed. if only everyone took it as seriously, eh…? [Although you might feel the need for a few more weekly training runs up Ugborough Beacon…! 😂😘])

A beautiful, proper hash – possibly lacking some real gnarly bits (deep rivers, cliffs, etc.) (Ed. *must do better…), but I enjoyed it.

From the sugar sachet:
1. Overshot was involved in child abuse, pushing a younger Hasher aspiring to be an FRB out of his way (Ed. it’s only what we’ve come to expect…sad, really 🤣) – shame on you.
2. A Hare helped GingGang and Goolie – yes they certainly need help (Ed. Ging Gang didn’t need any help navigating the raging torrent – if anything, I probably got in her way!).
3. Undercovers, came behind Nice Tackle – read into that what you will 👀.
4. Virgins went the wrong way – well they would, if they weren’t told what to look for.
5. Lowt’arse, so engrossed in conversation, drove past the start and up Aveton Gifford hill (Ed. or so she’d have you believe… Not a crafty little recce of the start of the route was it, Lowt’arse...??).
6. Wet Spot, wedged somewhere (Ed. typical).
7. Dim Wit, did the Short – he is a wimp for someone with his capability (Ed. I’d take that as a compliment, Dimmers… 😆).
8. Dead deer – I’ve know idea what that was about! (Ed. RA’s Ronseal approach to reporting… [Two] deceased deer spied on trail)

Down downs for

• Hares, Shaggy and Rusty Bottom 
• Virgins, Kent, Sarah and co
• Overshot – ruthless FRB-ing
• Wetspot – some typical nonsense

Now I can have the sugar in my tea – thanks, Squashed Balls.

OnOn to South Brent, Station CP – Hare: Vindaloo

Gaffer

Photo credit: Rubbery
🏃 📸 🍻   You can see a few more photos from the (Walkers route and pub at the) high-tide-averse Aveton Gifford hash on 15th April  by checking out the 1578 photo album 🏃 📸 🍻

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Next SH4 Hash 🐷👣: 
HASH 1579 –  22nd April, 2026 
SOUTH BRENT

CIRCLE UP 7.25pm

South Brent Station Carpark, TQ10 9BG
Https://what3words.com/recent.lengths.distracts

ON DOWN:
The Station Cafe, TQ10 9BE
Https://departure.rungs.renders

Hares: Vindaloo & Gomez

🌭🥘🍤 HASH FOOD 🌭🥘🍤

Hash menu and price(s) to be announced via Facebook/Messenger, but will be usual type of fare

Cash preferred, please

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For more info, please see the Hash 1579 event page on the SH4 Facebook Group.

Add your photos of how the evening went down (on Weds 22nd April, 2026) to the Hash 1579 photo album  on SH4’s Facebook page.

📝 If you are the lucky Scribe at SOUTH BRENT on 22nd April, please submit your edition of The Words to thewords@sh4.org.uk by Sunday evening (26th April, 2026) – TVM! 📝

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SH4 ‘EALTH & SAFETY

Please make a note of the SH4 hash phone number and add it to your phone:

🌟 SH4 hash phone number: 07922 103701 🌟

Use this number to call for assistance if you come ‘unstuck’ out on the trail, or need to get a message to ‘base camp’ (On Down) during the run.

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  Don’t forget to see Rusty Bottom before the hash to log you out on trail using the new-fangled checking-out/checking-in app (developed by our very own digital-wizard, Whisperer).

Don’t forget to also check back in with Rusty once you’re safely back. 

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SH4 MercHASHdise 

Show your love for SH4 and wear your membership proudly with a bespoke SH4 car sticker!

Available exclusively to SH4 members (and, to be fair, anyone else who wants one…) for the bargain sum of £0.50 ea., you can afford one for every vehicle in your fleet! 😊

See a member of the committee at the next hash meet to get yours.

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