The Origin of the Lagos Hash

from Sugar Daddy, of course. (He's the only one who's been around here long enough to have record of all this.) 

Lagos Hash House Harriers had its origins in a post squash conversation over a number of Star beers at the Ikoyi Club in February, 1979 between Albert Withnall, founder of the Lagos H3, Robin Jackson, Angus Robertson and Bernie.

The first official run took place on Monday 5th of March, 1979 from Albert's house at plot 1021, Ologun Agbaje Street, Victoria Island. The hares were Albert and Angus. There were 3 runners, excluding the hares, Robin, Bernie, and a computer man from Beam. Stephan Hess, Brian Spence and Jean-Piere arrived after the run. The post Hash BBQ and drinks were on Bar Beach, while squatted on some badly chipped tree trunks, which used to be the execution posts used at the Saturday Morning "Bar Beach Show". The police were attracted to the noisy Oyinbos ("white folk") and the firelight, but being easily satisfied in those days, disappeared after being "dashed" with a soft drink each.

The second run was set by Brian Spence, Albert being co-hare, from Brian's flat, (now demolished) off Alexander and Turnbull Road. The run went along the edge of the Lagoon to the old Ikoyi Park (now a housing estate), then back in a left hander, down Gerrard, Alexander and Turnbull roads. All the early hash members appeared to be characters in their own right. Robin Jackson, an accountant with Coopers and Lybrant, was an irrepressible individual, who was at the core of most events. Angus "Stupid Jock" Robertson, a bachelor in those days, was a staunch supporter as was Peter "Water" Goodday, who worked for Scanwater; Peter Taylor, who organized all the early parties including the first Hash party, run 21, just prior to the demolishing of his house (2, Rumsey road) where the party was held, Ray Temple, (party coordinator) and Ollie "Beau Brummel" Mayfield, who spent most weekends laying runs in the bush around Blue Elephant Clubs for periodical Sunday runs for the Hash. Other early members were Stephan Hess, Pat Roberts (still around and larger than life), Serge (the bearded UBA French Computer man), Paul "Biggles" Barker and in later years, Beavan Harris, Billy "Walker" Greenwood (who started the Hash circular), and very much later Dick Paice. There were, of course many more, who have contributed to the running of the Lagos Hash and in the process, the social life of the expatriates in Lagos.