Sporting club news and events – August 2021

Golfing news: Insurers take Prince Arthur Cup 2021

This year’s Inter Livery Golf Tournament was played at Walton Heath Golf Club on Friday 20th August 2021 when 39 Livery Companies vied for the magnificent Prince Arthur Trophy, writes Liveryman Martin Derrick.

The Master presents the prize for Best Pair to the Spectacle Makers’ team

This tournament, organised by the Coachmakers, is the largest one day, two course, amateur tournament in the UK and has been played every year since 1927, with the exception of the war years – and last year, when the 2020 event had to be cancelled due to the COVID pandemic.

1927 was the year in which Prince Arthur of Connaught was invited to become a guest of the Coachmakers’ Livery Company and then went on to accept the Freedom and Livery of the Company later that year. He was subsequently elected Assistant and showed such an interest in the Company that he became Master in 1932.

His admission to the Coachmakers was a great honour and to commemorate the event, the Master Arthur Hungerford Pollen presented the Coachmakers’ Company with the Prince Arthur Cup – an impressive silver gilt trophy that would be competed for annually by the Livery Companies of London in a foursomes’ golf tournament.

The winning Insurers’ team with Master Sarah Jane Adams-Diffey

The first tournament was played at Walton Heath after which the event was held at a number of different golf clubs before St George’s Hill became the venue from 1930 to 1958, then Wentworth from 1960 to 1978. The Prince Arthur Cup returned to Walton Heath in 1979 and the event has been held there ever since.

Again, due to COVID restrictions earlier in the year, the event was postponed from our usual spring-time date to August – which meant the thick flowering heather, though it looked magnificent, was even more of a hazard than usual. Congratulations to the Insurers for winning on our return to competition in 2021 – when the prizes were presented by the Master Sarah Jane Adams-Diffey.

Many thanks to the indefatigable Secretary of the organising Prince Arthur Cup Committee, Richard Wormell and his team of volunteers (including his wife and sister!) whose hard work and endless patience ensured yet another successful event.

The Coachmakers’ team, represented this year by Assistant Graeme Hunt, and Liverymen Brian Childs, Richard Pugh and Martin Derrick, didn’t make it onto the podium, but thanks to them all for putting themselves forward to represent the Livery. New blood is always most welcome, so if any other Liverymen out there would like to be considered for next year’s event, or would like to play at Coachmakers’ games at New Zealand and Tandridge Gold Clubs please contact Golf Captain Graeme Hunt.

Next year we look forward to a return to our traditional spring-time competition in 2022, at which time we hope once again to have a full complement of 54 Livery teams and bringing together no fewer than 216 competitors for another day of competition and bonhomie proudly hosted by the Coachmakers.

Liveryman Richard Wormell, Hon Secretary of the Livery Companies’ Golfing Society, wrote with a letter of thanks to the Master:

“Thank you so much for giving up your time to present the prizes at last week’s Prince Arthur Cup at Walton Heath. Your presence gives an official approval of the competition and promotes the Company in the eyes of a number of other liveries. I hope that you enjoyed the experience. I know that all the Committee were delighted that you came. Once again, very many thanks.”

The Coachmakers’ team, from left: Liverymen Martin Derrick, Brian Childs, Richard Pugh and Assistant Graeme Hunt (Captain)

Shooting news: Come and have a shot with us

The Coachmakers is launching a series of clay shooting events for liverymen – informal gatherings on a Saturday or Sunday morning to shoot a round of 100 (or so) clays each, with like-minded individuals, followed by a pub lunch at a good local, writes captain of shooting Alastair Boyes.

We will hold these events on a quarterly basis at a few different locations across the country, to create a social event to engage fellow shooting Coachmakers, or those who are interested in trying shooting.

Ahead of the game-shooting season we thought it worthwhile to get our eyes in, hence a kick-off event on 29th August at Barbury Shooting School.

Location: Barbury Shooting School, Wroughton, Swindon SN4 0QH

Meeting time: 10am

The ground operates an open licence approach to shooting, so as long as each group is shooting with at least one licence holder then we are able to accommodate non-licence holders for the event.

The form would be pay-as-you-go on the day, depending on the number of targets we shoot. Budgetary prices are £40 per 100 clays per person.

There are a number of good pubs in the local area, and depending on confirmed numbers we will book nearer the time accordingly.

Please contact captain of shooting Alastair Boyes if you are interested in attending at alastair_boyes@hotmail.co.uk.

Tennis news: Anyone for tennis at the Hurlingham Club?

Join us at The Hurlingham Club, Ranelagh Gardens, London SW6 3PR on Monday 13th September 2021

Arrive at 11.00am for 12.00pm start of play, followed by dinner at 7.30pm

The Worshipful Company of Feltmakers’ Inter Livery Tennis Competition is held each year in September. In 2021, the venue is the Hurlingham Club, due to renovation works at our normal venue, Queens Club.

The Competition is open to all Livery Companies and each Company may enter one or two teams of mixed doubles of which at least one member in each pair will be a member of the Livery. In all there is a maximum of 48 players permitted.

The day commences with registration and morning coffee at 11.00am with play commencing promptly at 12.00pm. Initially the teams are split into six groups and each team plays against the other teams in their group until 3pm. The winners of each group then enter a knock out competition to play for the Feltmakers’ Trophy and other prizes. The losers in each group enter a knock out Plate competition for the Feltmakers’ Plate Cup. The finals of each competition are held at 5.15pm. There is a running buffet provided for lunch whilst there are breaks during play.

There is a cash bar before dinner commencing at 7.30pm which is held in the Terrace Room at the Hurlingham. The dinner is a three-course meal with half a bottle of wine included per person. Masters, liverymen and friends are encouraged to join their teams at the dinner. After dinner the Master of the Feltmakers’ Company presents the prizes to the winners and the runners-up. The evening normally ends shortly after 9.30pm.

The dress code for players on court is predominantly white clothing and for the dinner – jacket and ties are required with appropriate dress for ladies. The day is intended as an enjoyable day for Liverymen and their friends/supporters where they can meet at a sporting occasion.
The charge for the day is £425 (inclusive of VAT) for each pair entered and includes tennis, lunch and dinner. Extra dinners are £75 per person including wine.

Click here to download the application form, and return with payment to the Clerk at clerk@feltmakers.co.uk or send by post to the address indicated. Priority will be given to those Livery Companies that usually support this event. In the event of the competition being oversubscribed a reserve list will be maintained. Those unsuccessful applicants will have their entry fee returned.

Please note that the Hurlingham Club does not have indoor courts. In the event of heavy rain that prevents any play, tennis costs will be refunded. However, we would expect the dinner to proceed regardless.