Welcome to Taunton Vale Polo Club.

If this is your first visit to Taunton or your first contact with Polo, I hope that the welcome we give you at Taunton will show you what a great sport Polo is both to play and to socialise within.

 

 

Last season, despite the rain, was a very successful one for the club in terms of increased membership, a  good range of polo to suit all, a very good friendly atmosphere and a well attended and enjoyable Houldsworth Event.

 

 

On behalf of the club I would like to thank Jessica Andrews, our club manager for the last two years for her efforts and in particular for helping ease the transition from a members administrated club to professional management. She now leaves to take on another post in the Polo world having spent the winter in New Zealand.

 

 

Supporting Catherine will be our committee on which there have been a number of changes. I am pleased to welcome Justin Stanhope-White who has agreed to join the committee and I am sure that the overall experience he brings will be of great value to the Club.

 

There are two people stepping down from their functions who deserve my personal thanks and I am sure the thanks of all our members.

Phil Lemanski has been on the committee for over 10 years, during which time he has overseen the club accounts giving invaluable help to our hard worked treasurers over the years. As a committee member he has always been keen to help over any other matters and though I hope that we will continue to see him on the field of play with Blazing Saddles, his contribution to club matters will be missed. Thank you Phil.

Kay Thorner is also remaining a playing member but her work duties mean that she will not have time to contribute in the enthusiastic way she has over the past few years. Apart from the numerous tasks that Kay took on for the club, I think all would agree that it was her work towards the social atmosphere at the club that will be most missed. Thank you Kay.

 

Nick Harrison- Sleap, Kevin James and Greg Dudd deserve particular mention for their continued dedication. Nicks commentaries, Kevins care of the grounds and Gregs stewardship of the accounts make our club what it is.

 

Our other committee members of course, all help in many ways which sometimes are less visible and are very rarely mentioned, so my thanks also extend to Roddy Stanning our Chief Umpire, Julian Frost, Club Trustee, Geoffrey Persey, Mark Williams, Dennis Venn and last but certainly not least the enduring support received from our President John Yeoman.

Thank you to all and it is through our combined efforts that we can maintain the aspirations of Taunton Vale Polo Club; to play  and promote polo to the best of our abilities whilst encouraging an enjoyable social environment.

 

 

On a personal note, many of you will know that I have now moved to Wiltshire and because of this I will not be quite as frequent a visitor to the club, though I do intend to play in all our main tournaments. However it is now time for me to let you all know that this will be my final season as Chairman. I am confident that the club is in a healthy state and with the continued efforts this season of Catherine, the committee and members, we can continue to go from strength to strength under new leadership, whom-so-ever the members choose.

 

  

  

 

Chairman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chris Andrews

 

To all our Visitors and Members have a good time, enjoy the polo and I look forward to meeting you all during season 2009.

 

Taking over from Jess is Catherine Goad, whose letter is over the page, and I know all will help to make her stay with us enjoyable and successful.