Squash at Bradfield continues to go from strength to strength. In 2023 the College sent teams to the National Schools Championships Plate Finals competition and both girls and boys are involved in this growing sport and talent pool.

This week Clare Davison, the wife of donor John Davison (E 54-59) returned to the College to present a new trophy – the Davison Cup – in honour of her late husband John. Clare also saw the new Davison Cup Honours Board in the Sports Centre Squash Courts celebrating the best female squash player at Bradfield each year. This new Honours Board has been in place since 2019 and this year's winner was Charlotte (J). Charlotte’s father Peter Came (D 77-81) is another well-known Bradfield sportsman and Bradfield Waif.

Accompanying Clare on her visit were Bradfieldian Alasdair Johnston (A 55-60) with his wife Chrissie who are all pictured meeting the Headmaster above. Amazingly Clare and Chrissie shared a flat in London before they met their future husbands when Alasdair and John became firm friends at Bradfield. Clare even took on the role of bridesmaid when Chrissie married Alasdair.

John Davison was a keen all-round sportsman at Bradfield playing in many sports during his time in Mr Price’s E House. His Valete notes him as a member of the Choir 1954-59, Squash team 1957-59 and Captain in 1959, First XI Cricket 1957-59, First XI Football 1958-9, First XI Hockey 1959 and on the Games Committee in 1958-9. We have photographs of him in every team except squash.

At Bradfield, the boys have played squash for the Warnford-Davis Cup since 1949. Old Bradfieldian and parent at the time, Roy Warnford-Davis (1906-11) established a whole school squash fixture and Cup in 1949 which continues to this day. His sons Dennis Warnford-Davis (A 44-47) and Peter Warnford-Davis (A 45-49) both played Squash competitively during their time at Bradfield. This week the finalists who played a closely fought clash were Otis (A) and Crofton (C) who is in the Lower Sixth and won for the third time during his time at Bradfield. Clare’s husband John Davison was a three times winner of the Cup in 1957-59 and thrilled to be able to present the Warnford-Davis Cup to Crofton during her visit too. The names of everyone who has won it over the years appear on the two Honours Boards which are also in the Squash Courts and pictured below.

We have very few photographs of Squash at Bradfield in the College Archive, however a pair of pictures were taken during the time of former teacher Gordon Munnings who was at Bradfield from 1961-1986. He is pictured with two keen players and we would love to find out who they were if anyone recognises them? Anyone with any other Squash team photographs which they would like to share we would love to hear from you at bradfieldsociety@bradfieldcollege.org.uk