GASS The Gentlemen's Ale Sampling Society 1982-2017 35 YEARS OF BEERS
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OCTOBER LEARN THE FAMOUS RUGBY HAKA Tuesday 1 October Medway Rugby Club
James Potter, a friend of Brian's suggested we learn the famous Maori HAKA,
Brian was sadly stricken with a ruptured Achilles tendon and so could not attend. John Brice kindly stepped in to video the event and write the minutes. Over to John.......
Bruce Simpson is a consultant who works for the New Zealand rugby team as a trainer for the Hakka. He also works for the New Zealand government going around the world spreading the word about the country. He dressed in traditional gear with superbly painted tatoos all over his face and upperbody. He said he stencilled them on before each performance. He told about this history of the various hakkas - there are lots of them - and then got us to run through the traditional one. He trained us in stages and then outlined the movements we needed to undertake. We were pretty poor pupils but surprisingly everyone responded to his instructions. We then went outside to the balcony and performed the whole hakka in one go. (Sadly I thought I was videoing the event but it was only photos, so you have everything I have). We went inside the club for a meal of cottage pie followed by cheese and biscuits. Medway Rugby Club vice-chairman Mark Marriott led us in a round of rugby songs. The other guest for the evening was Matt Riches - son of Steve. He's a Medway rugby player, referee and coach for the younger players. Riveting stuff John, factual, yet
evocative, beautifully written.
VIDEO OF GASS PERFORMING THE HAKA (Mr John Brice's agent wishes it
known that John was a 'Radio' journalist, not print,
If you can't see the actual video here on your tablet or phone use this link to access it. LINK TO GASS HAKA VIDEO ON YOUTUBE
Oh to have seen you all outside,
buck naked but for a reed mini, oiled up, faces tattooed, pecs pumped,
Maybe next time?
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