Bearded men prepare to celebrate facial hair

On July 7, hundreds of men are set to descend upon Paignton, Devon, to take part in The South West Beard and Moustache Championships – an event that celebrates some of the most elaborate facial hair ever seen! Better yet, their efforts are helping to raise money for the Armour to Barber organisation, which helps former military personnel reinvent themselves with new careers in barbering.

The prestigious event has been organised by The South West Beard Club and will take place at the Lucky 7 Club in Paignton. At the event, contestants are invited to compete across 11 different categories that celebrate different genres of facial fuzz; natural moustaches, styled moustaches, partial beards, full beards and even handmade beards. The latter is designed especially for women and children that attend the event and still want to take part.

Terry Short is the President of The South West Beard Club. He said: “The main is always to create a community that celebrates facial hair together, but as part of this we like to introduce an element of friendly competition! In the past we have seen some incredible beards and moustaches. I don’t doubt for one second that this year will wow the crowds and judges yet again.”

New for this year’s event is the inclusion of the Armour to Barber organisation. Founded by award-winning South West barber Liam Hamilton, this organisation helps former military personnel to find new and exciting careers in the hair and beauty industry.

After leaving the Coldstream Guards, Liam was faced with hardships such as PTSD and difficulties adjusting back into civilian life. A career in barbering helped him to overcome these woes and started a chain reaction that has led to an award-winning business with Hamilton’s Elite Barbershop in Redruth, Cornwall, and the founding of Armour to Barber. “The lack of support provided to ex-service personnel when they leave the forces is often alarming,” said Liam. “That’s why it was always my plan to try my hardest to make this experience less daunting for others.

“Armour to Barber is all about building a community that work hard for one another to achieve success in the barbering industry. I see the same camaraderie in the community that surrounds The South West Beard Club and the competition that they host. It is very humbling to be chosen as their charitable cause and I can’t wait to experience the event first-hand.”

On the day, Liam will be providing hair and beard cuts in exchange for donations to Armour to Barber. He will also be helping participants to perfect their facial hair with support from premium men’s grooming brand The Bluebeards Revenge - a Plymouth-based brand that is sponsoring the partial beard category at the event, while providing products and gift bags to all that attend.

On the event and the newly formed fashion relating to facial hair, Bradley Wicks, a spokesman for The Bluebeards Revenge, said: “Beards have boomed in popularity in recent years, with more men than ever before taking an invested interest in their appearance. As a result, competitions and communities such as The South West Beard and Moustache Championships have become a huge part of beard culture.

“The Bluebeards Revenge is very proud to sponsor this event and help to raise awareness for Armour to Barber, while providing professional-quality beard and moustache products that ensure every competitor has the best chance to win!”

If you’re the proud owner of an award-winning beard, or you know someone that is, or you’re just looking for a fun day out that’s different from the norm, then book your tickets to attend/compete in the South West Beard and Moustache Championship. Better yet, you’ll be helping to raise money for Armour to Barber!

More information and tickets are available here: www.swbmc.co.uk.

There will be a Pre-Party at the Peaky blinders bar, Paignton, July 6 from 7pm.

Photos courtesy of Marcus Hodges.