Beard club is 'super supportive' - founder

Brian Eva said the "beard community" is "super supportive" for men's mental health

Members of a beard club in Blackpool have said the group is a "safe space" for men to share their problems.

Sandgrown Beardsmen was set up in the town by local barber, Brian Eva, who is also three times beard championship winner.

He said he had realised how men's friendship groups changed over time and how some men could "feel a bit lost".

"There are guys that reach a certain point in their life where friendship groups sort of dissolve," he said.

Sandgrown Beardsmen meets once a month in Blackpool

Mr Eva, who was recently crowned the British Beard and Moustache Championship winner in the up to 12 inch natural category, set up the group in 2015 after experiencing the camaraderie of the "beard community".

"The beard community is super supportive for a lot of mental health issues that guys have," he said.

"We just meet up in the barbershop once every month.

"I think a lot of people think he's just going to be talking about beards, that's not really a thing.

“It's just basically become a group of friends."

Brian set up the group after seeing how men's friendship groups can "dissolve" over time

Among members of the Sandgrown Beardsmen is James Taylor who joined the group after a close friend died.

"I lost a good friend to cancer and I was in a bit of a low place," he said.

"I found this is my safe space. It's a huge part of my life."

Fellow member John Craig said the group was very welcoming and people attended regularly.

"Very few people turn up and do not come back again for another meet," he said.

"Most of us are regulars after the first time."

Mr Eva has since been picked to be a judge in an international competition in America and in 2027 the World Beard & Moustache Championships will take place in Blackpool.

“One of our guys could win a world championship," he said.

"It would be my dream if we had a North West winner.”