The squash court ball

Squash Court Fives

This article by Howard Wiseman first appeared in the Eton Fives Association Annual Report 2000/01

A particularly useful game for Eton Fives players whilst at University where no Eton courts are available. A new Fives ball has been developed by The Handball Supplies Company that is ideal for use on squash courts. The red leather-covered ball is fast enough off the front and side walls to bring the court down to the scale of a Rugby Fives court. The squash court "tin" is lower than a Rugby Fives ledge, but still makes an excellent game with plenty of winning shots. An easy to assemble ledge/board is available for Official Matches.

Fives Goes Travelling

A visit to Engadin, Zuoz July 2000

This report by Paul Thompson first appeared in the Eton Fives Association Annual report 2000/01

Some had thought that it was mighty ambitious trying to organise an Eton Fives tour to Zuoz, Switzerland, for a long weekend. Curt Schmitt's expertise in so many languages, however, and his success in arranging free accommodation , made it all possible in the end.

The Warminster Court

Ramblings in Retirement

This article was written by David Guilford in 2000 and first appeared on the original EFA website.

Torry Hill's 75th Anniversary

Mike Fenn reports:

On the 5th May 2000 the Charitable Trust held its twenty-second committee meeting at Torry Hill Estate, Sittingbourne, Kent as guests of the Patron of the EFA the Rt.Hon.Lord Kingsdown.

Fives at High Elms

This Article by Alan Chadwick (Old Olavian) first appeared on the original EFA website in April 2000

When his sons returned from Eton enthusing about a new game they had discovered Sir John Lubbock, later to become Lord Avebury responsible for the introduction of the August Bank Holiday, built for them an Eton Fives court in the garden, against the stable walls of his mansion. One wonders how much it was used. Being a mere fifteen miles from London, at Farnborough, Kent and with a twenty-seven bedroom mansion the Lubbocks presumably had enough visitors to try their hand on court every day now and again. It is less likely to have been used after the London Borough of Bromley took over the estate in 1965, an impression strengthened on seeing the tree growing out of the front step a foot in front of the buttress.

The court at Mere

Warminster and West Country Fives by Tony Baden Fuller

This article first appeared in the Eton Fives Association Annual Report 1998/99

The Chairman has recently received an interesting letter from Tony Baden Fuller, seeking help to resurrect 'West Country Fives'. Tony writes 'with help from the Governors, Warminster School has just repaired their court (from being a car park) and would like to play. I have obtained some rules (see below) - six players as the court is some eight metres wide and deep'.

Old Salopians 50th

Marc Quinn reports:

The of the Old Salopians Eton Fives Club took place at Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club on 6th June 1998. The inaugural meeting of the club had taken place on July 18th, 1948, and at that meeting the raison d'etre of the club was to provide a means whereby Old Salopians could get a game and that Shrewsbury should be represented in the Kinnaird Cup and any other competitions.

The Berkhamsted VI of 1949 with Master in Charge Bertie Owen (centre, seated) and Derek Whitehead (to his left)

Fives at Berkhamsted 1880-1997

The following article first appeared in the Eton Fives Association Annual Report 1997/98

The house known as "The Fives Court"

A Court at Pinner

This article was written by Dale Vargas and appeared on the original EFA website

There is a private house in Pinner, Middlesex called The Fives Court. I have known of its existence for some time but rather lost interest when I found that it no longer contained a working fives court.

Portugal Place - RIP

This report first appeared in the Eton Fives Association Annual Report 1994/95

Awards for architectural excellence were never showered on the motley collection of red brick and glass-topped blocks at Portugal Place. In living memory no fresh coats of paint were in evidence, the furniture was always decrepit and in recent years only essential maintenance was carried out as the Damoclean sword hung ever more menacingly. But we played our games there and it was a special place for us.