Jedburgh Badminton Club, best for Badminton in the Scottish Borders

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.

COACHING

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.

A group of players prior to the start of the very first marathon. Apologies for the shell-suits!

LEUKAEMIA RESEARCH FUND MARATHON - 1993

Marathon number two took place in 1993 from Friday the 24th September 7.00pm to Saturday the 25th September 7.00pm.

Over £ 2,600 was raised.

The Borders Branch For Leukaemia Research benefited to the tune of £ 2,600 from the clubs second Marathon. This Marathon was more successful than the first, not simply in terms of money raised but due to the fact that the Leukaemia Committee were greatly involved and interested in helping with the Marathon at all stages. For the club it was good to meet those connected with the charity and share in their efforts and commitment.

BORDERS COT DEATH ACTION GROUP MARATHON - 1995 Friday the 22nd of September 7.00pm to Saturday the 23rd of September 7.00pm Over £ 3,300 raised - a new record!
Over 200 people were invited to play badminton at this marathon and every effort was made to ensure a big return and beat previous targets. The club received sponsorship from CARLTON UK and FAKUDA which was a tremendous achievement for a wee borders club.

OTHER NOTABLE DATES

1995 21st year brochure produced

2002-2003 Education Works partnership begins

2003 November, Hawick Reunion Dance

2003 June Graeme Lang & Ronald Young - Medal winners at the Special Olympics World Games

2006 JBC use feather shuttles at the senior club

2007 Rally point scoring system adopted by JBC

2006-07 Borders Badminton League - Jedburgh beat Gala and Berwick!