Some 300 spectators turned out for the Marie Curie Charity Day on Sunday August 24 to see some sparkling polo (and Pimms) in spite of soggy conditions underfoot.
While members and visitors contributed some £1600 to the cancer care charity, WSPC teams battled for the Knight Frank trophy, with Stallenge Thorne running out the winners over Coach House Stables. Yet another bout of torrential rain the night before meant the other match between visiting teams Combe Place and Vaux Park had to be shifted to Vaux Park, but the local teams produced some fine runs for an appreciate audience. For match details, click here.
Marie Curie staff and volunteers, backed by WSPC members, were out in force to ensure guests who braved the muddy drive a warm and eventually sunny welcome. A Pimms bar, Graham Wallace's barbeque and our usual array of fine homemade cakes in the clubhouse competed for custom, alongside shirt sponsor Jane Brimblecombe's range of luxury items and our own WSPC stand fresh from its Dunster triumph.
All proceeds from the event will help provide high quality nursing, totally free, to give terminally ill people to choice of dying at home supported by their families. Marie Curie nurses work around the clock and care for almost half of all cancer patients in the UK who die at home.
Natalie Weaving, Marie Curie's Community Fundraiser who organised the event, commented: "It was a great day, and a fantastic amount of £1600 was raised." The irrepressible Alice Sumption added: "What a wonderful day you put on for us on Sunday. We were made so welcome and in spite of the wet going there was some super polo to enjoy. I do hope the club were able to have fun as well. Many many thanks from us all on the Devon Committee for Marie Curie Cancer Care." Chris Hampton, chair of the Devon Committee, commented: "I thought there was a really good atmosphere at the ground and people that I spoke to all enjoyed the afternoon. Let us hope now for a few more sunny afternoons before the winter sets in!"
Please note: Polo Times was keen to print a report and photos of the event, but advised that unless there is a cancellation, the magazine is fully booked for the rest of the year. Next year, perhaps.