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JEDBURGH BADMINTON CLUB - ESTABLISHED 12TH DECEMBER 1974

HISTORY

Lets look at the origins of badminton before considering the history of Jedburgh Badminton Club.

BADMINTON, HOW IT ALL BEGAN

OVER 30 YEARS OF BADMINTON IN JEDBURGH
Jedburgh Badminton Club has been running since 1974. Thanks to previous committee members and willing secretaries, the club has an in-depth record of events over the years and it seemed a good idea to make some of this information available on the Internet for members and visitors.

COMPREHENSIVE ARCHIVES
There is so much information to hand,  it will take time to build up a complete record so the most recent details will be uploaded first.

If any member or visitor would like to contribute to the web site, please contact the webmaster.

The very first entry in the minute book for Jedburgh Badminton Club reads "At a meeting held at Jedburgh Sports Complex on Thursday 12th December 1974, it was unanimously agreed to form a Badminton Club and to call said club, "The Jedburgh Badminton Club".

Minute book page 1

Minute book page 2

CLUB MEMBERS
None of the members listed in the inaugural year of Jedburgh Badminton Club are members today but the club has a few 'oldies' who are still active and playing badminton.

Joyce Lightbody's name appears in the record's in the minute of the March 1980 A.G.M.  Joyce threatens to hang up her racket on a regular basis but she still sets the pace for others to follow. Neil Haig's name pops up in the minute book in 1981 when he was asked to be the 'shuttle person' (person responsible for the supply of shuttles on a club night). Christine Wylie took on the role of secretary in 1986.

CLUB ISSUES (Early days) In terms of committee meetings and A.G.M. issues, present day topics mirror those raised in the early days. Membership fees, number of members, constitution, students, juniors, rules, tournaments, border league, the board system (allocation of games and players), misuse of shuttlecocks etc, all appeared in the first few pages of the minute book. Jedburgh Badminton Club was definitely in full swing! Membership fees were set at £ 2 for adults, shuttle fees 10p, £ 1 for juniors. Now with inflation, that makes the current membership fees . . . . . . . . still very good value for money! SHUTTLECOCKS It is interesting to note that in 1975, the club purchased both feather and plastic shuttlecocks. J.B.C. made the switch to feathers in the 2006-2007 season (senior club), with plastic shuttles used for junior sessions only. Andrew Tait was one of the early 'stars' in J.B.C. and was also keen to help coach juniors and other members. It's recorded in 1981 that Andrew had formed a coaching plan and would require one court for one hour. Funding and support for coaching appeared to be an issue and I'm delighted to say that the situation has improved in recent years mainly down to Roxburgh Sports Council and many willing members ready to assist on the coaching front. Andrew, as best junior in 1979, receives the Jedforest Amateur Athletic Club Cup The late Bert Reid introduced a junior section in 1979 and Andrew Tait scooped the award in its first year. It was noted in 1984 that Jim Cockburn from Kelso came up to Jedburgh and coached the juniors following the resignation of Andrew Tait from the club in 1983. Jim was also keen to run a coaching weekend in the summer of 1988 for anyone interested.   BORDER LEAGUE Jedburgh Badminton Club joined division three of the Border League in 1975, to compete against other recently formed clubs. The Borders Badminton League suspended J.B.C. in the 1979/80 season and the club responded with a press statement. Wow - Shenanigans or what? Poor communication was to blame but what is interesting - J.B.C. intended to apply to join Kelso Badminton League. In 1981 talk centred on leagues again and the Berwick League was also considered as an option. The Berwick and Northumberland league still functions today but sadly, only the one Border League division remains and this is perhaps indicative of the popularity of badminton and other sporting activities. We need to get the youth of today off their backsides and into sports and competition - what better preparation for real life?

Its recorded in 1982 that a new league had been formed in Hawick and that the club were to make enquiries re the possibility of joining. The club later joined the Hawick league and withdrew from the Border League stating reasons as easier travel and a more sociable atmosphere - interesting.

JBC enters a team into the border league each year and in the 2006-2007 season, achieved notable wins against Berwick (last years league champs) and Galashiels (several times league champions). Sadly the league consists of just 5 teams now; Berwick, Duns, Galashiels, Hawick and Jedburgh.

SCOTTISH BADMINTON UNION
In 1977, the club agreed to join the Scottish Badminton Union, now known as Badminton Scotland.

Badminton Scotland has a major task on it's hands and its objectives can be found on their website.

"BADMINTONscotland is the National Governing Body for the sport of badminton in Scotland with a wide remit to actively promote and encourage badminton development from grass roots through local leagues and competitions to the highest playing level, including providing services for players and coaches. Through funding from the National Lottery, corporate sponsorship and partners, we administer the game, provide services to our members and promote and organise events at every level."

SPONSORED MARATHONS
Discussions on the first fund raising event took place as early as Easter 1979. Money appears to have been split between the club and a charity. The committee in 1980-81 discussed the possibility of running a 36 hour Badminton Marathon Reading from the minute, preparations seemed well underway but the event failed to materialise.

It wasn't until 1991 that the first marathon began to materialise. The Sick Kids Hospital (Edinburgh) were appealing for funds and J.B.C. decided to organise a marathon to raise money.

SICK KIDS - 1992 Friday 13th March 6pm to Saturday 14th March 6pm. Over £ 2100 raised By inviting other clubs and issuing sponsorship forms and raffle tickets, marathon sponsorship came from near and far. The charity were delighted with the donation and everyone that took part thoroughly enjoyed the weekend.
	Left: A group of players prior to the start of the very first marathon.  Apologies for the shell-suits!

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