US flock to Somerset contest for weirdest facial hair in the world

These stylish pictures capture well-groomed and carefully-styled facial hair – as men flocked from as far as New Jersey for the fifth annual Beard and Moustache Competition.

Independent facial hair club The Wessex Beardsmen welcomed guests yesterday to show off their beards and moustaches in the quest to be the best.

The event was held at Club 94 in Yeovil, Somerset, and saw men with impressive facial hair travel from all over the country.

One bearded entrant, Andrew Kloss, flew in all the way from New Jersey, USA, to take part, winning the title of ‘Furthest Travelled’, as well as the ‘Full Beard Styled Moustache’ category. 

Facial hair flowed as long as 22 inches as entrants competed in categories for Natural Beard, Natural Moustache, Full Beard Styled Moustache, Partial Beard and Business Class Beard.

There was even a Best Costume category, won by Gary Swain, and a Freestyle category, for curly, swirly and even spiky beards and moustaches.

Club president Andy Teague from Chard, Somerset, said: ‘It’s all good fun, nobody takes it particularly serious. It’s a good, fun day out, for the men and also for their families.

‘It takes a hell of a lot of work to maintain a beard – you’ve always got to make sure it’s not getting caught on things,’ he added. 

These stylish pictures capture well-groomed and carefully-styled facial hair – as men flocked from as far as New Jersey for the fifth annual Beard and Moustache Competition in Somerset. Pictured: Contestant Matt Wall

Brendan Johnson (pictured) from Devon made sure his facial hair stood out from the crowd by pairing it with a colourful, rainbow inspired suit - completed with a matching tie and hat

Brendan Johnson (pictured) from Devon made sure his facial hair stood out from the crowd by pairing it with a colourful, rainbow inspired suit – completed with a matching tie and hat

Club President Andy Teague (pictured) from Chard, Somerset, said: said: 'It's all good fun, nobody takes it particularly serious. It's a good, fun day out, for the men and also for their families. It takes a hell of a lot of work to maintain a beard - you've always got to make sure it's not getting caught on things'

Club President Andy Teague (pictured) from Chard, Somerset, said: said: ‘It’s all good fun, nobody takes it particularly serious. It’s a good, fun day out, for the men and also for their families. It takes a hell of a lot of work to maintain a beard – you’ve always got to make sure it’s not getting caught on things’

Paul Goad known to the club as 'Goadie the Roadie' from Somerset decided to rock some leather and a cowboy hat with his remarkable spikey beard

Paul Goad known to the club as 'Goadie the Roadie' from Somerset decided to rock some leather and a cowboy hat with his remarkable spikey beard

Paul Goad known to the club who organised the competition as ‘Goadie the Roadie’ from Somerset decided to rock some leather and a cowboy hat with his remarkable spikey beard

Independent facial hair club The Wessex Beardsmen welcomed guests yesterday to show off their beards and moustaches in the quest to be the best. The event was a family occasion with most men bringing their relatives for support and to enjoy the fun. Pictured: Tiano and Tom Russell

Independent facial hair club The Wessex Beardsmen welcomed guests yesterday to show off their beards and moustaches in the quest to be the best. The event was a family occasion with most men bringing their relatives for support and to enjoy the fun. Pictured: Tiano and Tom Russell

Andrew Kloss (pictured) won 'Full Beard Styled Moustache' and 'Furthest Travelled' flying in from New Jersey especially for the event 

Andrew Kloss (pictured) won ‘Full Beard Styled Moustache’ and ‘Furthest Travelled’ flying in from New Jersey especially for the event 

The event was held at Club 94 in Yeovil, Somerset, and saw men with impressive facial hair - including Rob Hine (pictured) - travel from all over the country

The event was held at Club 94 in Yeovil, Somerset, and saw men with impressive facial hair – including Rob Hine (pictured) – travel from all over the country

Facial hair flowed as long as 22 inches as entrants competed in categories for Natural Beard, Natural Moustache, Full Beard Styled Moustache, Partial Beard and Business Class Beard

Facial hair flowed as long as 22 inches as entrants competed in categories for Natural Beard, Natural Moustache, Full Beard Styled Moustache, Partial Beard and Business Class Beard

Facial hair flowed as long as 22 inches as entrants competed in categories for Natural Beard, Natural Moustache, Full Beard Styled Moustache, Partial Beard and Business Class Beard. Pictured: Matt Anderson (left) and Graham Miles (right) 

There was even a Best Costume category, won by Gary Swain (pictured) who took part in face paint to ensure he won the title. The competition also included a Freestyle category, for curly, swirly and even spiky beards and moustaches

There was even a Best Costume category, won by Gary Swain (pictured) who took part in face paint to ensure he won the title. The competition also included a Freestyle category, for curly, swirly and even spiky beards and moustaches

Some contestants even brought theatrical props to spice up their bearded act - like Paul Wilson who was captured juggling in this impressive shot

Some contestants even brought theatrical props to spice up their bearded act – like Paul Wilson who was captured juggling in this impressive shot

Santa Claus is that you? Pictured is Charlie Saville - more typical known by his fellow bearded men as 'The Essex Beardsmen' 

Santa Claus is that you? Pictured is Charlie Saville – more typical known by his fellow bearded men as ‘The Essex Beardsmen’ 

Two thousand pounds was raised by the club and the competition to go towards various charities

Two thousand pounds was raised by the club and the competition to go towards various charities

More than two thousand pounds was raised by the club and the competition to go towards various charities. Pictured: Gareth Crocker (left) and Simon Sheffield (right_

The event was circus themed this year and contestants dressed to impress with Thomas Taylor (pictured) trying out for the position of clown

The event was circus themed this year and contestants dressed to impress with Thomas Taylor (pictured) trying out for the position of clown

Mark East certainly endeavoured to be muscle man when striking this pose - although the inflatable weight might have given him away. No matter, his moustache still stands strong

Mark East certainly endeavoured to be muscle man when striking this pose – although the inflatable weight might have given him away. No matter, his moustache still stands strong

Russell Bristow travelled all the way from Coventry in the Midlands to attend the popular beard and moustache competition

Russell Bristow travelled all the way from Coventry in the Midlands to attend the popular beard and moustache competition

This was the fifth Beard and Moustache competition with the theme of The Circus Comes To Town

This was the fifth Beard and Moustache competition with the theme of The Circus Comes To Town

Pictured: Paul Goad (left) and Colin Wells (right). This was the fifth Beard and Moustache competition with the theme of The Circus Comes To Town

Pictured: Tom Ince and Phil Swift. One Judge Paul Card cycled 250 miles from Essex to get to the event as contestants waited

Pictured: Tom Ince and Phil Swift. One Judge Paul Card cycled 250 miles from Essex to get to the event as contestants waited



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