Bearded men rejoice

Harry Sanderson didn’t realise it was World Beard Day but he was going to celebrate it anyway.

Max Fleet

A DISTINCT feeling of inadequacy crept over me when I visited local mower racing legend Harry Sanderson yesterday.

My meagre stubble just did not cut it, so to speak.

This feeling was rammed home when photographer Max Fleet started stroking his wiry growth.

Usually it would not bother me, but at this time of year the beloved beard takes pride and place.

Today marks World Beard Day — yes, there is such a thing — a day on which the facially furry can rejoice in their whiskers of wisdom and those unable or not allowed even to grow a goatee can at least show their support.

Mr Sanderson, known by many clients at his business solely as the “bearded one”, was not aware that the day existed, but was happy to jump on board.

“Do I get a holiday for it?” he joked.

Australian chief organiser Nathaniel Beard has compared the worldwide event to Mother’s Day — just with less publicity.

Mr Sanderson agreed it was about time his “a la naturale” style was given the credit it deserved.

“We have our own little club; you always give another bearded bloke a nod when you pass them in the street,” he said.

Mr Sanderson’s beard has been chopped, shaved and trimmed a few times in the name of charity, but has generally been a stylistic feature of the mower man for the last 25 years.

“When it was shaved, it felt like I had gone outside without my pants on,” Mr Sanderson said.

He combs it every morning, but has never tried to manicure or shape it in any way, despite wife Julie’s wishes.

“I hated it to start with, but it’s not so bad now,” Mrs Sanderson said.

Asked about beard rash, she did not answer fully, while there is no scientific proof published yet to prove the theory that bearded men are more virile.

Do you have a great beard? Send your pictures to editorial@news-mail.com.au and we’ll publish them next Saturday.