Passions: Charles Whittington

Charles Whittington is a Software Engineer by trade, going back to the early days of computing. He owned and ran a software company for 35 years and has retired now three times! His latest sortie out of retirement is into the UK Space Industry, running projects facilitating the next generation of satellite communications technology. Charles has also been a School Governor in the maintained sector for 30 years, and is now Vice-Chairman of the Thomas Telford Multi-Academy Trust which has built fi ve secondary schools and two primary schools in the West Midlands. He and Joanna were married in 1975 and have three children, Edward, Harry and Flora who all enjoyed Pony Club Polo. Charles has been Chairman of Pony Club Polo for seven years; stating that it, “Feels right to put something back, especially now our grandchildren are playing”

What is your biggest passion and why?

Too many to name! Family, of course; well run engineering innovation; excellence in education; music from any century, and of course Pony Club Polo!

What is your all time best polo memory?

Three! I don’t think we ever had enough pony power to win Pony Club Gannon – Edward came closest, losing in the fi nal to Mark Tomlinson on a penalty shootout – but all three of our children, Edward, Harry and Flora won the Jaguar Trophy – the Gannon Subsidiary. Great memories!

Who were/are your favourite teammates?

The family! I only really played in one polo tournament. It was a family tournament at the Hartley’s. Flora and I shared the No. 1 shirt – we won! I truly hope there are no photos!

Which sports do you like outside of polo?

I play tennis, pick up with my home bred labs, and Joanna and I have a leg in a racehorse with Harry Whittington Racing. I’ll watch practically any sport (except maybe netball!).

Favourite fi lm and why?

A Fistful of Dollars (1964). It plays rather corny and overly macho now, but when it was generally released in 1967 it was raw, edgy and innovative. edgy and innovative. It has a superb cast, cinematography, direction and music. Clint Eastwood’s fee of $15,000 was very good value!

Favourite song/album?

Too diffi cult – too many! But The Best of Eric Clapton (Duck/Reprise, 1999) would be very hard to beat. If on my own for a long time, almost any recording of Bach’s St Matthew Passion.

Favourite food/dish?

Too diffi cult – too many! Probably local lamb, roasted, with vegetables from the garden (and I’ll make the gravy) followed by Joanna’s home made blackcurrant ice-cream!

Favourite hobby outside of polo? National Hunt Racing. This picture is the Harry Whittington Racing Club with Peel of Bells winning at Taunton.

Favourite celebrity and

why? Sir Michael Parkinson – just the greatest interviewer of all time and got the very best out of other celebrities!

Best holiday destination & activity

The North Cornwall Coast. Bucket and spade with the grandchildren and cliff walks with the dogs.

Best pony and why?

I only really had one horse and she defi nitely wasn’t a polo pony! Bess, Joanna’s cob, who took me hunting for ten years (not the other way round!). Centre of this family picture.

Most prized possession?

Any of my grandfather’s eclectic collection of scientifi c instruments, but possibly the circular sliderule. Are you passionately superstitious? No – Engineers have to trust the laws of physics!

Describe yourself in three words… Plays the long game (that’s four!).

One thing which would surprise us about

you? I play the organ in church!