Monday

3 March 2003

Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League
President: Mr Norman Smith
                      Dunelm, Mashbury Road, Chignal St James CM1 4TZ
(Tele: 01245 440339)
History of The League - Junior Inter League 

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Chelmsford Junior Inter League - 1957
 
The death on Thursday 20 February at the age of 83 of one of the League's first Life Members, David Whiteside, brought to light this little piece of nostalgia.

David was awarded Life Membership to recognise the work he had put in when table tennis, and sport generally, was getting back to normal after the Second War. He, along with Percy MacDonald and Eric White, formed a troika who lead much of the expansion of the Chelmsford League in the late forties and fifties, and who established the reputation which the League still has today for being one of the best run in the country.

At various times, David was Match Secretary, Inter League Secretary, Competition Secretary and Press Officer, as well as playing for the then large Hoffman club. However he would never have claimed to be a threat to the League’s top players such as Charlie Wheeler, and so it is as an administrator and organiser that he is best remembered.

David Whiteside stands proudly back row right with his 
Chelmsford Junior Inter League side, circa 1957.

In the picture are: 

backrow (left to right): Mark Sweeting, Richard Bloomfield, David Whiteside, 

front row (left to right): June Wiggins (who became Crozier), Nigel Bates, and 
Joy Seabrook (who married Tommy Caldwell, and moved to Hertfordshire).
 

 
Thanks to Ian Whiteside for providing the information and picture.
 
Perhaps other players might like to forward memories and pictures from the past. They are invaluable in formulating the League's history.