Brian Ager sent in details of how the league was formed and said: “Harry Balls stopped me as I was crossing Diss Market Place in about 1952 and suggested the town should have its own table tennis league.

Mr Ager was working as a reporter for the Diss Express at the time and a small item appeared on the sports page.

“The response pleased us both,” said Mr Ager. “Not only were there a number of people who wanted to play competitively, but Mr F.A. ‘Bob’ Nobbs not only offered to chair an inaugural meeting but also offered a trophy for the new league.”

The league started with three teams from Diss and one each from Eye, Palgrave, Thelveton and Wortham.

The most cramped of the venues was Palgrave Reading Room, where players frequently collided with the walls, recalled Mr Ager.

Diss Church Youth Club played in the Church Hall at the opposite end of Mere Street to the church. It was a big brick building, which has now been replaced by a modern office and shopping block.

The other Diss team was the Red Lion, a pub in Victoria Road pub, which now houses a motorcycle business.

“The most formidable team was Diss Young Men’s Friendly Society,” said Mr Ager. “Michael West was an all-round sportsman who had all the shots. Brian Harvey was another classic player, whose speciality was to chop the ball with unplayable spin from what seemed like a few inches above the floor.

“The third member, who hit the ball back twice as hard as it had arrived was Harry Balls.”

n Do you have memories of the early days of the Diss Table Tennis League? Did you play in it or have memories of the teams and venues involved? Write to Memory Lane, Diss Express, Mere Street, Diss, Norfolk, IP22 4AE or email editorial@dissexpress.co.uk

In search of Pauline

Rita Tudhope, of Harleston, is trying to contact a former colleague, who worked with her at Marshall and Snelgroves, in Norwich.

Mrs Tudhope said: “She lived in Dereham Road, Norwich, in 1959/1960 and worked in the fashion department. She won the Miss She Fashion contest in 1960.

“Pauline now lives in or near Diss and used to own a food shop and sandwich bar in Mere Street.”

If you can help, contact the Diss Express, 01379 658002.