It's only the beginning

Spring is here, at Hurlingham the beautiful gardens are bursting with colour, the grass tennis courts have come into play, white sports clothes are out of storage, the barbecue has been fired up, and tables and chairs are out in the dip

During May the sun was shining on another world-class Alfred Dunhill Classic Padel Tournament,  the audiences following the Yellow Brick Road around the grounds with the Hurlingham Players on their way to find theWizard of Oz, Young Hurlingham at their new bi-annual Splashathon in the Outdoor Pool, and in the Clubhouse there were a record breaking number of artwork on display at the annual Art Exhibition.

 There is so much more to come, when June arrives, and the Hurlingham summer ‘Season’ begins. It is heralded on Saturday 7 June by the Fete Champetre, the first of the five major Club events, culminating at the Family Picnic on Saturday July 12, followed by the long days of the summer holidays. Where better to spend them, despite the unpredictable British weather, then right here at the Club as Kate Fazakerley writes.

During the next couple of months, the busiest time of year, at the Club, all the staff, front of house and behind the scenes, whether here for 20 years or only joined recently, will as always be hard, to ensure that members of all ages and their guests enjoy their Hurlingham Summer. I continue on my quest to meet as many of them as possible on my latest Whistlestop Tour of Sport with Danny Sitton, Director of Sport.

The Rose Court and other areas of the Clubhouse have served us well during the last year, but we will welcome the return of the refurbished East Wing for Club events, members special celebrations, and the weekend Napier Servery. On page David Patterson, Chair of the Masterplan Oversight Group gives a preview before it reopens on 1 July. At the same time we will be getting our first taste of the new Brasserie. Bookings have opened, F&B is busy with preparations and the menus have been revealed.

Also, in this issue, the Estates’ groups write about their collaborations on various projects both inside and out. Henry Finlay, Chair of Events, shares ideas to foster member engagement and strengthen connections, an Olympics gold medal winner at the Hurlingham Foundation’s Empowering Padel International Woman’s Day Brunch, and we look forward to a great summer of sport.

  Finally on pages we pay tribute to Hana Tiller, our late Editor. A familiar face to so many members and staff, she will also be remembered for the time and her many talents which she contributed to so many areas of the club over the years; including supporting the Foundation, her many roles with the Hurlingham Players, the committees she was part of and chaired,organising  and singing Carols at Christmas and for her advice, insight, friendship and  gathering of people together. None more so than on producing Hurlingham magazine. As Editor of 24 issues. She was our inspirational and committed team leader and Editorial Team player. We enjoyed her company and her friendship, and she was always there for us in our personal lives when help and support was needed. Thus begins a new chapter as we work together to produce this summer issue. We hope you will enjoy it.

Have a wonderful Hurlingham Summer

Jenny Montefiore, Interim Editor
editor@hurlinghamclub.org.uk

Kate Fazakerley (Co-Editor),  Jean Bird, Elle Croneen, Frances Gordon, Lizzie Lee