Phil waits for the sun to come out

THE GEORGE INN'S gates were already open when we arrived with our good friend Tom, representing our 'brother' Handlebar Club just before midday, to find about half a dozen members already seated at the outside tables waiting patiently for opening time. The sky was grey and it looked like rain.

Piers peers at the camera

As soon as the bars opened we trooped inside and ordered lunch to beat the rush. Between mouthfuls of Roast Pork with all the trimmings, including a personal pot of apple sauce, I kept an eye out for incoming members.

I was pleased to welcome Piers (left) from Norfolk, not seen at one of our meetings since the second London meeting in March 2009. Also a first time welcome for Phil (right), new member from Harpenden, Herts, who is actually no stranger to The George Inn, and he admitted that he's also a frequenter the other well-known Borough pub, The Market Porter in Stoney Street.

Soon we were joined by the familiar faces of The Essex Beardsmen; Frazer Coppin with his daughter Zoë, Charlie and Mo Saville, and Nigel with his partner Liz. Other members arrived; John from Slough, Dan, Lewis and Ed from London. Ed and Frazer, and another new member Mark (who was expected at this meeting but couldn't make it) appeared recently on the ITV game show Odd One In. Also present were Ross and Rodger, two of our Eggheads team seen with myself just the night before on BBC2 telly.

Dan keeps an eye on things

The Essex Beardswomen

Rodger made the sun shine

Soon the sun began to peep through the clouds, and with it Founder member Glyn with our now "official photographer" member David arrived, and their friend Ali, visiting from Austria. Guy from Bishops Stortford arrived, beaming as ever through his increasingly extensive facial arrangement, accompanied by Clara. We greeted Kentish Founder members Pete and Susanne from Ramsgate and Australia, followed by London member Seran from Wood Green.

During the afternoon, several members were interviewd by Matt McNally, self-shooting Producer/Director and freelance film journalist for his 2011 World Beard and Moustache Championships film project. Through the next nine months, Matt will be following the progress and preparations of contestants and spectators attending the next World Championship event in Trondheim, Norway.

The Beard Gallery and The Yard Group

After everyone had finished lunch, it was time for the 'Group Photos', so first we all trooped upstairs and out onto the '17th Century Gallery' above the yard. The George is London's last remaining galleried inn providing a nice setting for David's skillful eye and camera to record the scenes you see here. Then we all came back down to the yard and assembled in front of the gentlemens' loo (!) for more group shots.

It was a good meeting with many different faces from the previous Midsummer Beardness, and we missed those absent faces from last year - Andrew, Bill, Greg, Ian, Jock, Andy and Francis, Paul and Spider. It wasn't a record attendance, but there's always next time.

Here are some more photos taken by David Paul Rose and David Dade.

Photos on this page are Copyright © 2010 David Paul Rose and The British Beard Club