On the opening day of the IoM LTA Championships last Saturday, Heather Clague, daughter of past president, Louis Callow, came to the club with a green porcelain dish/bowl.

She found it amongst some of her late father’s possessions.

It is intriguing. Around the base moulded in to the pottery are the words: ’ISLE OF MAN LAWN TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS LADIES SINGLES, AUGUST 1908.’

In an effort to find out more information about it, we have contacted the library at the Manx Museum but the only newspaper on record for that month is an IoM Examiner dated August 1 announces that the tournament was to be held at Douglas Lawn Tennis Club, Kensington Road with a record entry.

There was the regular doubles events, plus singles (handicapped) open to all comers and the championships of the Isle of Man confined to residents.

The only other piece of information is from the Mona’s Herald, confirming that Mr E. A. Love, the holder, beat Mr A. W. Townsend 6-3 6-2, 2-6, 8-6.

It would be interesting to hear from anyone who may have knowledge of a descendent that won the ladies’ singles that year. Perhaps they have a report or photo.

Please let me know if so - email [email protected]

- One of the island’s most promising junior tennis players is away playing UK tournaments with some degree of success.

Orry Farnworth, 13 is a member of both Ramsey and Albany, recently finishing runner-up at Ilkley in a Grade 3 event for 14 and unders.

He won a Grade 5 under-16 event in Liversedge (also West Yorkshire) last Sunday and, on Tuesday, won a Grade 3 boys’ doubles 14 and under with a partner he had never met before.

PAT SHARP