Frome Badminton Club celebrates 40 years

To help celebrate its 40th birthday, Frome Badminton Club staged a Badminton Tournament open to all over the weekend of 6th and 7th September at the Frome Leisure Centre. 

The tournament attracted players from the across Somerset and Wiltshire with many taking the opportunity to use it as a warm up for the coming badminton season.

Saturday the 6th saw the adult events with 44 players competing across six events. The standard and quality of play by those who took part was very good, and spectators were treated to some excellent games.

In the Men’s singles final, Mark Young fought off a challenge by Dean Martin to win gold, while Dean then picked up a gold with partner Simon Martin in the Men’s doubles with David Clarke and Francis Chudley silver, and added a further gold medal with partner Charlotte England in the Mixed Doubles, while Amanda Willcox and son Daniel picking up the silver.

The veterans events were a slightly more relaxed affair with Clive and David Teller winning the O50s Men’s doubles while Issie Tucker and Jane Buller the O50s Ladies doubles. Issie picked up her 2nd gold medal with husband Ian in the O50s Mixed doubles.

On the Sunday (7th), it was the turn of the Junior events, and once again, the standard of badminton played was of a high quality by those who took part. The U12 singles proved to be a close contest with ultimately Seth Locke winning the gold by one point over Thomas Flechon, while in the U14 Singles, Cameron Elliott cruised to his gold medal with Jack Agnew picking up silver.

In a combined U12 U14 doubles, Jack this time with partner Charlie Strickland were triumphant with Cameron Elliot and Cameron Heard a close 2nd. The U16 Singles saw Frome’s Bradley O’Connor romp home over fellow team mate Phoenix Gibb, while Rohan Weekes won the U18 singles. In the combined U16 U18 doubles, this time it was James O’Connor with partner Ashley Hembury who emerged as the winners.

Frome Badminton Club Chairman John Warman said afterwards, “I am delighted that the tournament proved to be a great success. Well done to all those who took part to help celebrate the club’s milestone, and congratulations to those who came away with medals. Special thanks to Apricot of Frome who provided the medals for the tournament and to Frome Leisure Centre for use of the sports hall, but also to Clive Davis who ran the whole event.”