Cambridge & District TTL 1952-1953

Les Constable's report on the season

The 1952/53 season saw Newnham again win the title of Division 1 with New Chesterton Institute being the runners-up. In the second division NCI IV were promoted which means that they had four teams in the first division for the season 1953/54. Newnham still had a very strong team of John Cornwell, John Thurston and Ron Nunn and all played well during the season.

At the Annual General Meeting of the Cambs Association the Treasurer (Mrs M.C.Reeve) revealed that there was a debit balance of £10 due to the enormous expense of Car Hire for three teams in the National County Championships. Mr L.E.Betterman deplored the situation and recommended that the Committee hold an emergency session to consider the situation. Mr Leslie Woollard (Editor of the English Table Magazine, also of Bedfordshire) was welcomed to the meeting as an invited guest. Mr Woollard stated that this position occurred in several counties who were at their wits to exist. The Author (Cambs President at the time) thanked all the officials for their help also the players who had done their best in difficult circumstances and thereupon the meeting had a "whip-round" to cut out the deficit and next season would start with a clean sheet! What a remarkable situation that was resolved by the officials dipping into their pockets to "save the side".

In the Zonal rounds of the Suffolk Championships held at Lowestoft proceedings were cancelled owing to extensive flooding and players had difficulty getting home by devious routes! Several Cambs players were involved including Heather Mitchell, Pam Banks and John Gregory.