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@All_the_gear_no_idea
The weekend is finally over and what a weekend it was.
After being inspired by some of the fantastic events this year, a plan was hatched to host a NS event here in Bristol. After looking into various sites across the city, a chance sighting of the derelict land off the Portway by Andre got us thinking…..could this be the perfect venue for our tournament?
There was a problem. In fact, there were several problems! The site had been heavily fly-tipped and vandalized. Nature had also decided it wanted the land back and over the years had replaced a large amount of the tarmac courts and walls with spikey brambles, trees and nettles. It was very difficult to track down the owner of the land to get the relevant permissions. There was a lot of work to be done!
In the early stages, the Bristol Polo Community pulled together and took up gardening. Days were spent uncovering the courts and clearing litter and broken glass from the site. The courts were quite badly damaged. There had been a fire in court one leaving a large hole right in front of the goal area. Roots had sprouted through the tarmac around the perimeters.
We did our best with the playing surface and when we finally had the site cleared, Andre and I started to put together ideas to make the tourney unique and special. We wanted the Bristol Open to be different.
I hope that you all agree that we pulled it off. I would like to thank everyone who took part this weekend despite the awful weather, but special thanks to the following….
Andre…. Huge amounts of enthusiasm and optimism when initially planning the event. Securing excellent sponsorship for the event (a difficult job considering it was our first one). Blagging the free use of tonnes of stuff. Knowing some cool people who helped us make the site work (graffiti, tarmac guys etc). Being the compare on the day and generally dicking about as per usual and many many other things to do with the organization of the event that I can’t even remember
Rich…. Many hours of hard graft clearing the site of brambles. Sorting the tournament format and keeping the polo going over the weekend. Worrying about stuff that Andre and I would not have even thought of cos we were too busy (how are the guys gonna empty the toilets etc, what about insurance etc etc?)
Cab….Always there grafting before during and after. Put in a shed load of man hours at the site. Showed me how to use a sweeping brush! Always had a tool for the job. Provided an ambulance service for injured players and was security on site when most others were down the pub
Warins…..Is Alfie even human? I saw him dragging a tree off the courts one day that was approximately 50 times his size!! Out of all of us in Bristol that mucked in to help, Alfie probably worked the hardest. Total dedication and an inspiration. Also Tim for his painting skills and generally being a decent bloke. I am sure Robbie helped too, but then again he was probably too busy building his new bike!!!
The Bristol Polo Community…. You know who you are. Thanks for all your support and hard work preparing the venue and for helping out at the end with packing up
Some of my highlights from the weekend are…
Rob from Polo Erectus’ reaction and celebration after beating us 1-0. That hurt. Also the kazoo blowing during some of the last games on Sunday.
The spectator support for Wheelie Wheelie Good during our game against them on Saturday. I felt the hatred!!!
Seeing my mrs working behind the bar and getting her to serve me a drink!!
Jeff’s celebration at winning the bike in the raffle. Couldn’t have gone to a nicer chap!
Andre’s interview (with mini wine bottle as mic) filmed by Chan following our defeat against Polo Erectus. I really hope we get to see some of the footage from the weekend.
Checking Spring Break into one of my penthouse apartments as prize for leading on the Saturday (thanks for not throwing the TV off the terrace guys).
Paul Kneesleys big crash. Worthy of the best crash award.
Shit the Bed vs Cream game. One of my favourites of the weekend.
People coming up and thanking me for putting on a great tournament.
We are already thinking about next year and of course have plans for BIGGER AND BETTER. If not before, then see you all in 2012!!