Who owned the challenge cup?

Alan Lines, of Langport near Taunton, found the cup when he opened several boxes which belonged to his parents, the late Bert and Freda Lines.

He has been able to establish that the trophy was made in Birmingham in 1926 and was presented annually to a victorious tennis doubles team between 1927 and 1939.

The last winners were his parents, to whom it was presented a couple of weeks before the outbreak of World War Two, and Mr Lines believes it must have been put away during the war years and forgotten.

The inscription on the trophy reads: "Presented to Cassiobury Associated Tennis Clubs by Frank Pratt Esq JP".

Details of the winning players and their clubs appear on engraved plates around the base: 1927, Mr Green and Mrs Boxall, of Berkeley club; 1928, Mr E Pullen and Miss M Parkinson, of Berkeley club; 1929, Mr F Harris and Miss B Ephthite, of Kingham club; 1930, Mr G.H. Lutter and Mrs G Thorn, of Berkeley club; 1931, Mr R.B. Lutter and Miss J Braithwaite, of Berkeley club; 1932 and 1933, Mr G.C.H. Tubb and Miss P Eames, of Watford club; 1934, Mr L.M. Boundy and Mrs G Money, of Old Centralians club; 1935, Mr I Lillie and Miss M Coote, of Berkeley club; 1936, Mr R.T. Lancaster and Mrs G Money, of Old Centralians club; Mr I Lillie and Miss I.C. Warren, of Berkeley club; 1938, Mr F Bateman and Miss J.H. Alexander, of Berkeley club; 1939, Mr A.H. Lines and Mrs F.P. Lines of Whippendell club.

Mr Lines plans to get the trophy cleaned and is curious to find out if the organisation that originally owned it still exists and would like to have it back. If no club can claim ownership he plans to present it to Watford Museum.

If any reader knows anything about this trophy, or has any memories of tennis clubs and tournaments in days gone by, write to the Nostalgia page at: Observer House, Caxton Way, Watford Business Park, Watford, WD18 8RJ.