It must always be with great excitement that a player receives notification from the selectors that they have been called up to get their first England cap. In the days of letters and telegrams there is more material evidence to remember the occasion by and for Margaret Fry, (now Mrs Hiorns) this happened in 1951.

Margaret was an excellent female player who had achieved success in her home city of Bristol winning county honours. It was here she received her England letter when she was 23 years old. The following year Margaret moved to Middlesex and later played for that county too, quite an achievement considering the depth of talent there at the time.

As well as success in that first international where England defeated Scotland 9-0,  Margret winning her singles 21-16, 21-16 and doubles with Diane Rowe 21-11, 21-14, she went on to play in two World Championships and several English Open and Closed Tournaments as well as the French Open in 1952.

However, Margaret was not only interested in the playing side of table tennis, she became a Member of the National Executive Committee, was National County Championships Secretary, a Junior and Senior Selection Committee Member and at county level became Middlesex CTTA County Umpires Secretary. At Local league level Margaret was a London Business Houses Table Tennis League Committee Member.

It was with much pleasure that, through Doreen Stannard, I have had Margaret’s cuttings book passed on to me and I hope you enjoy the photographs and other material as much as I have done.

If anyone can add to the list of unknown players in the photographs then please contact me on [email protected]

Margaret, left, with two other young players.

.

Margaret playing at the Metropolitan Open Table Tennis Championships, 7th January 1950.

.

Margaret, centre, with Diane and Rosalind Rowe taking a break at the West Ealing Club in London.

.

Margaret, centre, with Diane and Roslaind Rowe. Taken on 28th July 1951 in West Ealing and signed “With love – as ever, Diane”.

.

Margaret at the English Open Championships, Wembley.

.

Margaret, left, with Diane Rowe.

.

An action shot of Margaret.

.

A happy bunch with Margaret second left, back row. Fourth from the left is Laurie Landry and Lesley Bell is on the right at the front.

.

Letter from the Selection Committee dated 7th December 1951.

.

Letter from the ETTA giving information and details of travel arrangements, an overnight sleeper!

.

A delightful letter of congratulation from Corti Woodcock, President and Chairman of Essex County TTA and former ETTA Chairman.

.

A ‘Good Luck’ telegram from Mum and Dad.

.

A congratulatory telegram from Leslie Woollard, a member of the Executive Committee and ETTA Archivist.

.

A signed programme from the match between England and Scotland, 17th December 1951.

.

Margaret Fry, Diane Rowe, Brian Kennedy, Rosalind Rowe in Paris for the French Open Championships, 8th January 1952.

.

Margaret with an array of trophies won in one season in the North Acton League.

.

A further action shot.

.

A group photo with Margaret on the third row, second right. Also in the picture are Lesley Bell, Christine Holes, Beverley Sayer, Brian Hill, Laurie Landry, Denis Neale, Mike Symonds and David Stanley who have all signed the photograph on the back. It is marked on the back Malente, January 1962.

.

Margaret on the National Executive Committee.

.

Look out for the next feature on 2nd December the first Friday of that month.

Download As PDF

Latest news