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 the club saw a shuffling of seats and some new faces on the committee, we also employed a Polo Manager for the first time. The accounts show that we spent a considerable amount on grounds and machinery apart from the maintenance of the grounds, such as wash bays, pony lines, generator housing and a lot of the work that was done has laid foundations for future works when funds are available. As we know maintenance and improvements are increasingly expensive and I believe that as we approach our clubs centenary in 2011 we must continue to improve our grounds and facilities both for players and increasingly for non playing members and visitors.
Overall we had a very constructive season with a good standard of Polo and a convivial atmosphere around the club, aided by Nick Harrison-Sleaps imaginative match commentaries.

I would like to thank our Secretary Nick Harrison- Sleap for his continued hard work and also our Treasurer Greg Dudd, who survived his first year in the job admirably
The Officers are well supported by a lively and enthusiastic committee who continue to keep us up to the mark in constructive debate. I would like to particularly thank Kay Thorner, Phil Lemanski and Kevin James for their invaluable input.

As I write, the sun is shining, following plenty of rain, the horses are in work and I look forward with great optimism to the season ahead.

We have a lot to look forward to; I am pleased to say that Jessica Andrews is returning for her second year as Polo Manager and will be encouraging the increasing numbers of ladies playing polo. The Ladies Tournament is to be held on the 21st and 22nd June. So if you want to play or bring a team do contact her early. Her contact details are on the Club Details page of this magazine.

We have also changed the date of the Houldsworth Cup which this year will be held on the 8th, 9th and 10th of August. The Finals day Sunday 10th, will be a fully Sponsored event in aid of The Langford Trust. A lot of work is now going on to make this event a success and all levels of sponsorship are being looked for, so any company or individual who would like to advertise or indeed bring a team please make contact as soon as possible. All enquiries should be directed to myself or the Polo Manager

Paul Youngs has decided to take a break and has stepped down from the committee. I would like to thank Paul for his long service to the club and hope that we will see him again on the field of play.

This year Roddy Stanning has taken over the reins of Chief Umpire. If anyone wants to take their Umpire tests please contact Roddy (tel 07989423658)or Jessica.

Kay Thorner has worked hard to produce our club magazine and would welcome any advertisers and articles for next years publication. Please contact Kay on 07866726237.

We have appointed Dymond Promotions to assist us in fund raising, anyone wishing to know more should contact Mr Geoff Dymond on 01823 412020

Let us hope that the weather is kind to us this season and that we can enjoy some great Polo. I look forward to meeting all of you during the season.
Have a good summer.

Chris Andrews

Chairman