MIDHURST AN IMPORTANT POLO-PLAYING CENTRE IN BRITAIN

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 32, 20 August 1952, Page 6

MIDHURST AN IMPORTANT POLO-PLAYING CENTRE IN BRITAIN

Midhurst, a charming old town in the heart of the Sussex countryside 49 xniles south-west of London, has m recent years become one of the most important polo-playing centres In Britain, states "Coming Events In Britam." The polo-grounds are situ- : ated in Cowdray Park, close to the j town, and matches are played every j Bunday aftemoon until August 24th. | That Midhurst still retains a dis- j eemible feudal atmosphere is prob- | .abiy due to the fact that much of this attractive little town comes within the bounds of the Cowdray estate, the vast and beautiful park Buxrounding the residence of Vis•connt Cowdray. finis park, in whose glades wander herds of fallow deer, is a favourite laaunt of visitors, many of whom are aitracted by one of the most rornanfcic sights in Southern England: the ruins of old Cowdray House, %uilt in 1533 and gutted by a dissastrous fire in 1793— the consequence, so it is said, of a curse which was laid on its owner's family at the time of the dissolution of the xnonasteries. ■On the lawns of this great mansion Queen Elizabeth I enjoyed a respite from State affairs. Decades fater these same grounds were the scene of a Royalist camp during the Civil War of CromwelTs time. And during the present century fihc ancient oak trees in the suriQ'ouncling woods have witnessed the pgradual development of this superb grassland into half a dozen of the f inest polo grounds in the country ;as a result of the efforts and unbounied enthusiasm of Lord Cowdray, who is chairman of the CowCray Park Polo Club. So successful has he been in establishing polom this part of Sussex that important in&tehes are now played every Sunday afternoon, whatever the weath- > er, during the spring and summer season, and in addition there will be polo rnatches every evening following the races at nearby Goodwood (July 29th., to August 1st.). At Cowdray the cream of British polo talent, mounted on ponies second to none in the world, compete in Cup matches. Last year an , Arjgenfine team competed also, and this '• j V 1 . ... , » '

year teams from Brazil and Spain will figure in these exciting contests. Household names in English representative polo, such as Phipp-Horn-by, Guinness, Lakin and Balding, appear on the programmes. The spirit of the ever-growing attendance at the Cowdray polo grounds is that of a happy family picnic, which thoroughly befits the democratic spirit of the occasion> A feature much appreciated by onlookers uninitiated to polo is a running commentary on the matches. It introduces the players, explains the rules very simply, and answers the questions when the umpire's whistle blows. ;• If k really enjoyable after noon's entertainment is wanted in a traditional setting of the English countryside, a visit to Midhurst will supply the answer. And those who are tempted to stay longer to explore this lovcly comer of West Sussex may like to be reminded that Midhurst has no lack of comfort^ble hotels.