to bar bells

From Bow Bells to bar bells

From a special correspondent in Suva.

For thousands of Suva youngsters there is only one place to go—“ Harry’s”. “Harry’s” is Char man’s All Races Sports & Social Club, under the leadership and guidance of Mr. Harry Charman, M.8.E., Cockney, and accomplished wrestler, athlete, keep-fit expert, compere, singer, actor and comedian extraordinaire.

WITH his remarkable combination of talents, Harry instructs “his boys” in the basic essentials of healthy recreation and phyical fitness, and also plays a part in fashioning their characters and ideals.

Back in 1953, while Harry was a corporal attached to the Royal New Zealand Air Force stationed at Suva, he began the foundation of the club by teaching boxing and judo to a group of 20 youngsters.

Interest and enthusiasm resulted, and the group’s numbers steadily increased.

The problem of a home was solved when the Church of England offered their parish hall, and the Fiji Gov ernment later provided Harry with a grant, enabling him to devote his full time to the leadership of the club.

Today, with over 3,300 members,

Charman’s All Races has established seven branches, and plans are in hand for still more to supply the growing demand. Among prominent mem bers are the Archbishop of Canter bury, the Right Rev. Dr. Michael Ramsey; British MP Dame Joan Vickers; and Australia’s High Com missioner to Malta, Mr. Hubert Opperman.

It is almost impossible to gauge the club’s benefit to the community.

Fiji, with its shortage of entertain-

ment for teenagers and its unemploy ment problem, is fortunate that Harry’s clubs exist, as they provide an outlet for thousands of otherwise idle youths.

In addition, newly-recruited prison officers are trained daily by Harry in physical fitness and self-defence, and on Thursday nights he conducts the popular ladies’ classes.

Social evenings are arranged fre quently, when the club’s supporters are invited to watch displays of mem bers’ prowess and skill. Two popular participants who captured my heart when I was there recently were one small Chinese boy and one small Indian, aptly named Chop Suey and Madras Curry! Boxing, judo and wrestling were demon strated, followed by a comedy sketch or clowning by Harry and his boys to the rhythm of the band’s guitars.

On the evening I attended “Romeo and Juliet” was re-enacted, Cockney version. As Harry says, “If Bill Shakespeare ’ad been bom a Cockney, ’is plays ’d be better orf tiday.”

Harry, 52, born, of course, in Lon don, is deeply admired by his youthful followers. And it is a tre mendous job that Harry undertakes.

He does not seek praise, nor re muneration. As a matter of fact, the Government grant is only £7OO a year and Harry himself has delved into his pockets to the extent of over £3,000 to help meet the club’s require ments.

Harry Charman entertains in Suva.