Oct 2014: Firth Among Equals - Kinnaird Winners Open New Berkhamsted Courts

Last Saturday (4th October 2014) saw the official opening of the three new courts at Berkhamsted School. The courts were opened by Old Berkhamstedian Denys Firth, after whom they are named. Each court features a plaque named after a Berkhamstedian Kinnaird Cup winner - Denys himself, Malcolm Keeling and Graham May, all of whom were present.

The new courts are situated in the Prep School, allowing greater access to the game for the younger pupils and also to the girls at the split-site school. Berkhamsted Principal Mark Steed - himself an enthusiastic player - welcomed the assembled group of Old Berkhamstedians, EFA representatives and school staff, coaches and pupils before inviting Denys, Malcolm and Graham to officially open the courts. On the wall of the courts is a photo of the 1974 Old Berkhamstedian Alan Barber Cup winning team, and all six members of that side were there to recreate the photo forty years on.

The courts were then tested out by players ranging in age from 10-80 before the current OB Barber Cup team took on the Old Salopians in a first round match in the 2014/15 competition. The day was rounded off with a celebratory dinner in the evening.