Ah Alice, you’re just in time for tea
HAM POLO CLUB BALL
by Benjie Davis
Imagine if you will a distant land, one populated by strange and fantastical creatures and giant beautifully coloured fl owers; one where rivers of champagne fl ow around occasional sculptures carved in ice. Imagine if you can the Ham Polo Club Ball, a place where the auction bids can grow as large as the trees themselves.
It was an indisputable wonderland as guests descended in their hundreds upon London’s only polo club for the Mad Hatters Tea Party themed event. Year after year the Midsummer Ball has been a resounding success and is now widely regarded as one of the tip top polo invites to receive. In fact such is the notoriety of this bash that, it is rumoured, a certain
somewhat alternative Hollywood fi lm director, after seeing the pictures (he couldn’t get on the list to attend) rushed out and started shooting his latest fi lm. It’s just a rumour, I wouldn’t like to be accused of suggesting we set the trends, however, HPC did get there before Jonny Depp and Helena Bonham-Carter. So there.
One observation that is found in all the good travel books is the weather in wonderland can be frightfully unpredictable. Thunder storms had raged throughout the day. However, by the evening, blue sky prevailed lending the perfect backdrop for the party, if a little moist underfoot. In fact the fi elds offi cially being declared as wetlands by some local marine biologists did, at least, serve to prevent one player (who shall remain nameless) from streaking... again.
After the Champagne Reception guests trod lightly through the Queen of Hearts walkway surrounded by thousands of fl oating playing cards. Some took an alternative route and fell through the rabbit hole, but that’s their fault for drinking champagne on an empty stomach.
Once again the Ball Committee had worked its’ magic. On arrival in the marquee party goers were confronted by a fully fl edged forest complete with the odd Flamingo. Adorning the tables were giant tea pots and tea cups
24
T H E L O N D O N P O L O C L U B
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72