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The Ham Polo Club
by David Reay-Scott
Founded in 1926 The Ham Polo Club is the last remaining Polo Club in London and one of the oldest clubs in the UK. Only eight miles from Hyde Park Corner, the club is set in 22 acres of lush meadow land between Richmond and Kingston-upon-Thames. The Polo season runs from the beginning of May to the end of September and matches are traditionally played on Sundays.
This beautifully located club caters to its members and their guest’s needs through a fabulous new Club House nestling between the two playing fields. Built in a Colonial style, with white weather boarding to the exterior, the Club house also boasts a conservatory and terrace at the front and rear and a large roof terrace to one side, for uninterrupted views of the games.
I was invited to sample the clubs hospitality by friend and proud member John Rendall. I must say the gods were smiling on us that day, the weather was absolutely perfect. Bathed in glorious sunshine, with roof down I entered the club, parked my motor and headed for the Club House.
On that particular day the Club was playing host to a high profile charity event, The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. The charity’s objective is to help young people around the globe to overcome the limitations imposed by challenging social issues including, poverty, homelessness, war, violence, drug abuse, discrimination and AIDS.
Walking past their huge marquee I spotted some extremely well known celebrities giving their time to this worth while cause. Boris Becker and his son, Martina Navratilova, who were over for Wimbledon fortnight, Nancy de Laglio, Daley Thompson, Ian Botham and Hollywood movie star Uma Thurman.
I joined my host and his fellow guests for what turned out to be a brilliant afternoon of great sport, fabulous food and drink prepared and served by the resident catering and event management team, Hunt Kendall and topped off with lashings of great company.
When fellow guests were patting down the divots, a tradition in Polo, remember Julia Roberts in “Pretty Woman”, Nick who runs Hunt Kendall showed me round the facilities of his lovely Club House.
It may surprise you to know the Club House is available for private hire most Saturdays during the summer and during the week. It offers an unrivalled environment for all forms of entertaining, Nick was telling me he has catered for events from 50 to over a 1000, including Weddings, Balls, Parties, Christmas Parties, Product Launches and other corporate events. Nick and his team provide a very professional service, more than capable of fulfilling your needs and ensuring your day runs perfectly.
As always with days like this, when you are having fun in a friendly, family run environment, the day passes far to quickly, I just didn’t want it to end.