FUNTIME

 In the 1930’s dances were held in the hail about once a month on Saturday evenings to raise money for the equipment and general maintenance.  There was always a cabaret.  The dancing troupe were: Joan Elphicke, Anne Simpson, Nancy Robertson, Barbara Laughton and Freda Mercer their speciality being tap dancing.  On the piano was John Warrington.  Wally Daniels sang topical songs.  George Lightfoot and Mike Luddington did a song and guitar duo, with the versatile Mike also playing the saw.  At one performance the Coons forgot to put on their grease foundation.  The black went straight onto their skins and they were black for days.

 The end of the tennis tournament balls were another highlight.  Even the ‘Crack’ players tried to be present.

 The decor was terrific in the 30’s, the support beams being entwined with flowers from members’ gardens.  Then after the war came camouflage netting and bunting.

 There was a ton of sand, trees rotten coconuts and scallop shells all for the Desert. Island Ball organised by Bill Parker.  A treasure island, where if you were lucky enough to draw a stake with a number on it you got a prize.  Alan Sharman as a witch doctor frightened the “hula girls”.

 The tramps ball was another hoot. Ronnie Watson in his immaculate evening suit handed out pennies to the poor tramps.

 Then there was Trevor Knight and his jazz band.

 These were more prosperous days, when members tried to attend all the social functions and live it up, knowing that if they missed an event it was their loss.

 Square dancing was the craze for a couple of years. Lessons were on Sunday afternoons by Pamela Welti (nee Macdonald Kemp). A grand barn dance had bales of hay provided by the Maudlins.

 Today we also have barn dances and discos.

 SITTING OUT

The hall was used for catering in the days of the amateur players coming to the open tennis tournaments.  How pleasant to mingle with the stars: Gem Hoahing, Betty Batt, Angela Mortimer, Lorna Cawthorne, Rita Bentley (also of hockey fame). Spychala (the Polish Davies Cup Player), the ambidextrous Australian, Bromwich, Billy and Jean Knight from Northampton, Mike Davies, the Welshman, Stanley Matthews Junior, Charlie Applewhaite, Fred MacMillan, the South African, Gerry Oakley, Mark Cox, Bobby Wilson, Alan Mills (the Wimbledon referee), Dan Maskell (the commentator).  They thought it was a marvellous hall to sit in and wait for their games or to participate in refreshment.

 In .1924 luncheons and teas were provided by the Palace cafe.  Prices: luncheon 2/- light luncheon 1/-.  Tea at 6d consisted of bread and butter, sandwiches and buttered buns.  Special cream tea cost 1/3.  Beer 4d. per glass.  Gin and vermouth 1/- per glass.  Port 8d. per glass.  And so on.  Then to make money for the club the lady members took over, particularly in the bridge section.  “Bobbie” Moller, Mrs. Cheesman, Mrs. Lillian Mitchell, Mrs “Joe” Young to name but a few.

 The badminton canteen was manned by the sterling worker Mrs Nichols in the 1930’s and in the 1970’s by Mrs Blofield, a widow, who loved to chat with the members.

 TABLE TENNIS

 For the past 25 years during one weekend in April the hall is completely transformed, that is when the Bedford and District Table Tennis Association play their closed and open championships.  A great number of tables are fitted in with boards around them to stop balls going all over the place.  Special lights are fitted over the tables.  The preparation and clearing up is organised by a team of’ willing workers, the tennis and badminton members supplying the ‘eats’ to players from all over England, many of them being seeded National players.

 Doug Ayres, the Association’s President, says that over 1000 games are played per weekend.

 DIFFICULTIES

 As a club we have had our frights.  One was when we were told we might have to lose Court 1 to allow Campbell Road to be extended to link up with a new road (now Caves Lane), but luckily those plans didn’t come to fruition.

 A gentleman playing one night got hit by a piece of rock coming through the skylight window.  It’s a great game for the local lads to throw stone a as high as possible to try and get them over the roof.  Like the martyrs we are often stoned.

 What it is to be around when the skylight corrugated window comes off during the gale, and when the snow gets in and has to be swept off the courts.  And trying to catch the drips is difficult.

 How would you like to run a tournament and the day before have to beg to use the school at the bottom of the road because one of the courts is out of action?  Another time it was so cold there was no water.

 Cleaning and retrieving shuttles is very difficult because of the great height.

 Fixing sun blinds is another hazardous task.

 DIAMOND JUBILEE YEAR

 To celebrate our special year a 20’s night was the first event.

 The turnouts were very reminiscent of the old days.  An American Tournament was played winners Stephen Giddings and Sandra Hook.  Prizes for the best outfits were awarded to Kathie Edwards and Mike Jemmett.  The entrants provided suppers in an assortment of pretty boxes which were auctioned to raise money for our charity of this special year “Guide Dogs for the Blind”.

 In December a 24 hours marathon took place, all courts being played on for 24 hours.  Winner of the most money raised was John Gaisford with £107.

 Celebrations are not yet complete, there are the handicap partner and end of season tournaments.  A tramps and tarts social evening in June.  The dinner/dance has been fixed for as close as possible to 60 years after the original one.  This is to be held at the ‘Keep’ Kempston on 22nd June.  The guest of honour Dick Jeeps CBE, Chairman of the Sports Council.  Daphne our honoury life member and Molly Lightfoot daughter of Mr Singleton a member of the 20’s.

 This is when the cheque of £1000 raised over the year will be presented to Mr Bee, the chairman of’ the local branch of the Guide Dogs for the Blind.

 OUR CLUB TODAY

 At present Bedford and County Club have approximately 160 members and 40 juniors, and the hail is also used by various other clubs.

 There are seven Bedfordshire and three Biggleswade league teams and many entrants in the Bedfordshire Badminton Association tournaments.

 Our best youngsters are Russell Childs, Ian Faulkner, Laurie and Loretta Hillman, James McMemanin, Stephen Pask, Paul Thomas, and the very talented thirteen year old Ruth Knighton already nationally ranked.  We’ve had promising juniors before but they faded out for a variety of reasons.  Wouldn’t it be marvellous if we could produce another All England Champion?

 Carry on badminton for another 60 glorious years. Will the hall still be standing?

POSTSCRIPT

Well, since 1984 Margaret has had one of her wishes granted with Gail Emms former junior and senior member of the club achieving an Olympic Gold.  As for the hall, recent grants and investments in improving the facilities plus the negotiation of a new lease look set to ensure the club will celebrate it's Centenary.

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