Cranford House School staged a very successful Festival of Tennis involving over 50 of their pupils. The day kicked off with Tim Henman coming out of retirement to host a ‘Coaching Clinic’ for the top tennis players from each year.

Twenty girls had the amazing opportunity to be taught by the former Wold Number 4; improving their ground strokes and volleys, taking part in drills instructed by Tim himself. There was a lot of enthusiasm and energy on the courts at Cranford and much laughter too.

The next event was the Parent and Daughter competition attracting a draw of 34 pairs. The word parent was used loosely and included uncles, aunts, grandparents and even teachers. The winners on the day were Suzi Taylor from Form 8 and her father Peter who beat father and daughter pairing of Grace and Angus Jones, 6 – 2 in the final after a long morning of very enjoyable tennis.

Following picnic lunches, enhanced by the schools very own brass band and glorious sunshine, was a tennis clothing fashion show modelled by Cranford pupils. Pimms, strawberries and cream were served thanks to the schools PTA , and then the serious business of competing for a place in the nationally run Road to Wimbledon tournament – 2 players gained places – Lydia Jones being the winner and Isabelle Tuite-Dalton the runner-up. The Festival culminated in the furiously fought out School Championships – there were many close matches, great competitiveness and good sportsmanship amongst all.

This year’s winners are: Grace Jones from Form 7 in the Junior Singles and then teaming up with classmate Emma Heslop to take the Junior Doubles title. The Senior competition is still to be concluded – the Singles Championship will be taken by either Megan Jones, Suzi Taylor or Jade Bridge, and the Doubles Final to be competed between Molly Conroy & Lily Sherston and Jade Bridge & Lucy Howlett.