In 1962, just five years after celebrating its 400th anniversary, Hampton School continued to climb from strength to strength. However, things took a rather dramatic turn over the Whitsun Holiday when the groundsmen’s shed and adjoining wooden cycle shed caught fire.

Reports from the Press at the time, however, are somewhat conflicting with regards to the Headmaster, Mr Whitfield’s, response to the fire.

The Richmond and Twickenham Times reported that “while the fire raged Mr G Whitfield, Headmaster, sat in his study preparing for the return of the boys to School on Thursday”.

Whereas the Surrey Comet reported that the Headmaster, with the support of Mr W. E. Collihole (School’s cricket master), two secretaries and the grounds staff, helped to save valuable cricket gear from a sports store in danger of being destroyed by fire. Working together the members of staff reportedly “saved about 36 bats and six fully equipped bags.”

Despite the disparity in the accounts of the Headmasters actions during such a dramatic event, they both reveal that the blaze resulted in approximately £800 worth of damage (equivalent to around £15,000* of damage today). Thankfully no-one was reported to have been hurt during the incident and cricket continued to be played in the following term.

* https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/monetary-policy/inflation/inflation-calculator