Kent County Cricket in 1963

Ted Diamond's excellent short film captures the match and the celebs at Kent's County Cricket ground in August 1963

Ted Diamond's 1963 film shows the match between Hampshire and Kent at the latter's cricket ground in Canterbury. We see fans walking all over the ground and mingling with players. We also see the BBC's Outside Broadcast Unit preparing for their 'live' transmissions. BBC commentators Brian 'Johnners' Johnston and Peter West are also seen. A commemorative plaque is laid for Frank Woolley, who appears at the match surrounded by many fans before play eventually resumes.

Peter West, who appears in this film, was a freelance sports presenter and broadcaster who worked mostly on cricket, rugby, tennis and Olympic Games coverage for BBC Radio and Television. He was also the presenter of the BBC's long-running 'Come Dancing' television programme as well as 'What's My Line'. West also worked as a cricket and rugby correspondent for both the Daily Telegraph and The Times newspapers as well as being an early editor of the 'Playfair Cricket Annual'.