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Just any scraggly covering of the upper lip won't gain you full entry into London's Handlebar Club. The moustache in question must be "a hirsute appendage of the upper lip, with graspable extremities." Sprout such clutch-worthy growth, though, and you will be welcomed into this fellow hood of facial fuzz. (Good news for ZZ Top: Beardos are welcomed as "friends," just not official members.)

Even those unwilling, or unable, to cultivate exuberant whiskers or make it to the U.K. for the monthly meetings can still enjoy the mustachioed charms of the group's website. Wander through the gallery and say howdy to present and past club members. Peruse the FAQ page and uncover the answers to questions like "will a handlebar moustache suit me?" (yes) and "should I use a moustache curler?" (sure, but with caution).

Finally, delve into the picture archive, which goes back to the group's beginnings in 1947. Here, you will find such amusing lines as: "Passers-by stared in surprise at Brighton Station yesterday when five men with large moustaches stepped into a battered sports car and whirled away with their moustaches fluttering in the breeze."

With annual championships and a growing presence on photo-sharing sites like Flickr, the legion of magnificent moustaches appears to be on the rise. We reviewed the site back in 2002 for Picks. Recently, we emailed Steve Parsons, secretary of The Handlebar Club, to find out more about the group, its webpage, and life with a glorious 'stache...

How have people responded to the site? Has anything about their reaction surprised you?

Most people love it! As secretary my email address is on the website, which means that I get most of the emails sent to the club—actually a great pleasure. I am contacted from all over the globe with questions and comments on the club, requests for moustache growing advice, and questions about moustache wax.

I have been sent poems about facial hair, photos of whole primary school classes wearing fake moustaches in tribute to the club, and even an email from a girl in the Midwest U.S. about her "finger moustache tattoo"—a tattoo of a handlebar moustache on the inside of her finger so she can put her finger under her nose and "wear" her moustache whenever she wants.

I don't recall any negative comments at all.

Do you have a favorite distinguished 'stache from the members gallery?

Yes, Bruce Roe (to be found in the overseas section), a good friend, all round lovely guy, president of the Whisker Club and World Beard & Moustache Association, and owner of a fabulous moustache (that caused me severe moustache envy the first time I saw it!).

Tell us about your hirsute history. When did you realize that you wanted to sport a handlebar?

I started experimenting with facial hair as a student. (Don't most blokes?) I have sported full beards, goatees, sideburns, and moustaches. However, through all the different phases the Handlebar has been in there somewhere, I don't know why, I suppose I'm just a bit of a show off!

Do people stop you on the street to ask you about your marvelous moustache? Is there a common misperception about handlebar moustaches that you come up against?

Yes, people are always stopping me in the street to talk 'taches and 99% of the time the conversation starts with a smile. People often think that facial hair wearers are hiding behind the face fungus or too lazy to shave but seriously how could I hide with this moustache - I don't exactly blend into the background and shaving the upper lip would be a piece of cake compared with caring for this hairy monster.

How long have you been on MySpace?

A couple of years I think. It's been great for making contact with moustache fans and recruiting new members for the Handlebar Club.

How did you do at the World Beard and Moustache Championships? We love the competition's Flickr stream.

I came fourth this time (although I won my category last time in Berlin and am still current European Champion). What was more important this time around was making the event a success and the £12,500 we raised for charity at the event.

Full-face whiskers are strictly prohibited in the Handlebar Club. Has a bearded man ever attempted to muscle his way into the group?

We have a category of membership called "Friend" that was designed for our bearded (and clean shaven) pals who wanted to join our exclusive band—everyone is welcome. Incidentally, I'm often asked if we are a sexist men's only club.

Actually, although we don't have any female members at the moment women are free to join, they just have to have a "hirsute appendage of the upper lip with graspable extremities" surprisingly none have come forward yet!

Well, some of us are now considering it. Thanks for talking to us, Steve! Long may you stay mustachioed!

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