5.13 Pope by Run2Eat

Episode Summary

Pope can date his first London Hash precisely: July 28, 1984, from the Green Man in Kingsbury. A magazine article led the shy young professional to a social athletic club where older members treated him as an equal. On an early away weekend, an RA repeatedly called Paul “John,” producing the simple progression John Paul—Pope.

Four decades of hashing brought a wife, stress relief, extensive European and Asian travel, memorable Interhashes, trails, songs, and occasional encounters with police and public suspicion of flour. Pope weighs large versus small events, single-sex traditions, changing names and songs, aging membership, and the need to welcome younger generations without abandoning the humor and equality that first attracted him. He remains active in UK events, hared trails, and red-dress gatherings.