THE TANDEM CLUB OF GREAT BRITAIN 

The Tandem Club of Great Britain was formed in 1977 by Sallie Walrond and Lady Vivian Cromwell with the first meet held in Oxfordshire. It was started in order to preserve the skilled art of tandem driving which was in danger of dying out. The Tandem Club maintains the traditions of the original tandem club of the 19^th Century in that the ‘entrance fee to the club is to be nil and the annual subscription is on no account to exceed the entrance fee’. All activities are funded by the proceeds of the annual raffle held at the event  and donations received. The custom is that all those attending the annual meet provide suitable prizes for the raffle which is drawn at the conclusion of the event.

 The club has no rules other than those imposed by health and safety and has led to only  one order being imposed since its inception. This order is that in the interest of safety any member bringing their tandem to the meet must have driven it successfully in public. Anyone wishing to attend the meet must apply to the organiser providing proof of the above. However stating that there are no rules doesn’t mean that there are not certain expectations to be met!!! It is expected that the coachman hand is used and that the spirit of the traditions of tandem driving are observed.

 The meet is hosted in a different area of the country each year and involves a great deal of time and preparation from the group of volunteers running the event. Turnouts travel from all over the British Isles with many different breeds of ponies and horses represented, 15 different breeds attended in 1999, and with whips hoping to gain their bars, even traveling from Australia and Denmark in 2002. The meet commences with an inspection of all the turnouts followed by a 6-8 mile drive to a half way point where refreshments are enjoyed. During this drive the whips are observed for their skills and correctness of handling their turnout. The half way halt allows the opportunity for a change of whip allowing a second person to earn their bars by being observed  on the way home. Being admitted to Tandem Club membership is a prestigious award and those members are the only ones allowed to wear the solid silver tandem bar brooch.

 By the end of the 20^th century there were 275 members of the Tandem Club and at the 1999 meet , after 24 years, Sallie Walrond handed over the custodianship of the Tandem Club to Minta Winn. Since that time there have been several issues to contend with!! The Foot and Mouth outbreak in 2001 meant the meet was delayed, another year  the sale of a venue prior to the meet caused a change of venue but all in all the Tandem Club is going strong and looks to be well set for the future with many young whips coming on and its 30^th anniversary in 2007.

 For further information on the Tandem Club or details of the next meet please contact Minta Winn.

 Meets since 2000