Ledbury Badminton Club Blog

See here to find the latest information about the Club.


17 October 2024

no play on 21 October 2024

The title says it all. The school needs the hall.

Written by Gordon Kirk on 17 October 2024.


20 August 2024

AGM 2024: agenda

we propose to hold this year's AGM on 2nd September 2024 at 8pm.
We'll suspend play for the AGM.

The agenda will be:

Written by Gordon Kirk on 20 August 2024.


11 May 2024

bookings for May and June 2024

JMHS has decided they can't provide us with the single court as envisaged, so there will be no Monday play in May or June until 24Jun2024. On that day, normal play resumes. Unfortunately.

Written by Gordon Kirk on 11 May 2024.


27 April 2024

taking bookings for May and June 2024

See the previous posting below.

We propose to ration members to 2 hours per session (but more if possible).
We shall attempt to limit the number of allocated players to 7 at any time.
Members will be allocated a specified period (of 2 hours or more) when they may play.

If you wish to play on any of these days, please say for each day the time period during which you would prefer to play.
If, when I have responses, the schedule is not good, we may need to go round this loop again.
People who don't respond will not be able to play.

To make it easier for you, we are taking bookings for 13th and 20th May until 9May2024 16:00,
and for 3rd, 10th, and 17th June until 30May2024 16:00.
So, you can book all now if you want to.
I might be able to post a provisional schedule sooner so watch this space.

Written by Gordon Kirk on 27 April 2024.


18 April 2024

only one court in May and June

JMHS say that the gym will unavailable in whole or in part for much of May and June:


When we have a single court, it is from 17:30 until 21:30.

So as to make best use of the court and to minimise non-playing time, I propose we do what we've done in the past and schedule and ration the hours available.
I'll send out another message nearer the time asking for your preferences.

Written by Gordon Kirk on 18 April 2024.


8 January 2024

arrangements for 22nd and 29th January 2024

See the posting below for details.

The revised schedules for both days are the same.

There are two time slots: 5:30 to 7:30, and 7:30 to 9:30.

The first slot (5:30 to 7:30) is for

The second (7:30 to 9:30) is for

If you've not already booked, please get in touch with me before turning up as we are somewhat over-booked.

Written by Gordon Kirk on 8Jan2024.


1 January 2024

JMHS mock exams 2024

Like last year, the gym will be used for mock exams on 22Jan2024 and 29Jan2024 and we shall have only one court available on those days.
We have that court from 17:30 until 21:30.

So as to make best use of the court and to minimise non-playing time, we need to schedule and ration the hours available.
We propose to ration members to 1.5 hours per session (but more if possible).
We shall attempt to limit the number of allocated players to 7 at any time.
Members will be allocated a specified period (of 1.5 hours or more) when they may play.

If you wish to play on either or both of these days, please say for each day the time period during which you would prefer to play.
If, when I have responses, the schedule is not good, we may need to go round this loop again.

People who don't respond will not be able to play.
Please respond by Friday 5Jan2024 18:00.

Written by Gordon Kirk on 1Jan2024.


26 November 2023

Christmas closing 2023

There will be no badminton on 25th December 2023 and 1st January 2024.

Written by Gordon Kirk on 26Nov2023.


4 September 2023

New Subscription Scheme

This new scheme for subscriptions was agreed at the AGM today.

  1. "Members" are they who play frequently (10 or more times a year) or who wish to be a Member.
  2. "Visitors" are others. People who are evidently playing frequently will be invited to become a Member.
  3. All Members pay £40 (annual membership) at the start of the year.
  4. New Members pay £40 prorated quarterly (eg: if they join in the second quarter they pay three quarters).
  5. Members pay £4.50 a visit.
  6. Visitors pay £6.50 a visit.
  7. Everyone pays via BACS and should keep their account in credit.
  8. People under 21 pay half.
  9. The Club year starts on September 1st.

Written by Gordon Kirk on 4Sep2023.


15 August 2023

AGM on 4 September 2023

we propose to hold this year's AGM on 4th September 2023 at 8pm.
We'll suspend play for the AGM.

The agenda will be:

  1. Chairman's Report
  2. Treasurer's Report
    The draft balance sheet report will be available before the meeting.
  3. Membership and subscriptions
  4. Appointment of Officers and Committee Members
    Alan is prepared to continue as Chairman.
    Gordon is prepared to continue as Treasurer.
    Sandra is prepared to continue as a Committee Member.
  5. AOB

Written by Gordon Kirk on 15Aug2023.


22 June 2023

play on 26 June 2023

Things have changed: we are able to play next Monday - 26 June (6:30 to 9:00pm).

Written by Gordon Kirk on 22Jun2023.


28 March 2023

days closed April to June 2023

Over the next three months, we are closed more than we are open. The dates for thr exams are subject to confirmation; I will update this only if those dates change.

Written by Gordon Kirk on 28Mar2023.


5 February 2023

arrangements for 6th and 13th February 2023, revised

See the posting below for details.

The revised schedules for both days are the same.

There are three time slots: 5:30 to 7:00, 7:00 to 7:30, and 7:30 to 9:00.

The first slot (5:30 to 7:00) is for

The second slot (7:00 to 7:30) is an overlap and anyone may stay late or arrive early.

The third (7:30 to 9:00) is for

Written by Gordon Kirk on 5Feb2023.


3 February 2023

arrangements for 6th and 13th February 2023

On these two days, we have only one court available, and that between 5:30 and 9:00. This is because the school needs the gym for mock GCSEs.

To avoid congestion, and to make best use of the single court, we have scheduled attendance as shown below.

This is based on the stated preferences of those who responded to my emails. If other people wish to play, email me and I will try and adjust the schedule. Please do not just turn up willy nilly and expect to play.

The schedules for both days are the same.

There are three time slots: 5:30 to 7:00, 7:00 to 7:30, and 7:30 to 9:00.

The first slot (5:30 to 7:00) is for

The second slot (7:00 to 7:30) is an overlap and anyone may stay late or arrive early.

The third (7:30 to 9:00) is for

Written by Gordon Kirk on 3Feb2023.


21 November 2022

Christmas closing 2022

The gym will be closed on 26th December and 2nd January.

Written by Gordon Kirk on 21Nov2022.


12 October 2022

play on 31 October 2022 cancelled

There will be no play on 31Oct2022 as the school needs the gym for mock exams.

Written by Gordon Kirk on 12Oct2022.


14 September 2022

play on 19 September 2022 cancelled

There will be no play on 19Sep2022 as this day has been declared to be a public holiday.

Written by Gordon Kirk on 14Sep2022.


31 August 2022

subs for 2022-23

We recently had an email vote on the form to be taken by the coming year's subscriptions. The vote was for one of two options. Briefly, these were:

Currently playing, paid-up members were invited to vote.
Turn-out was 22% and the result was 7.5 for Option 1 and 4.5 for Option 2.
Accordingly, we shall continue as we are.

Written by Gordon Kirk on 31Aug2022.


24 August 2022

AGM 2022-23

The AGM for the 2022-23 year will be held at 8pm on 3rd October 2022.
It should be only a short meeting and shouldn't disrupt play much.

Written by Gordon Kirk on 24Aug2022.


2 June 2022

play in June 2022 cancelled

The previously planned arrangements for 6Jun2022, 13Jun2022, and 20Jun2022 are now cancelled. We shall not be able to play on those days. I have sent an explanatory email.

The next day on which we can play is 27Jun2022 with normal hours.

Written by Gordon Kirk on 2Jun2022.


31 May 2022

play in June 2022 - now cancelled

The following shows the allocation of members to times on 6Jun2022, 13Jun2022, and 20Jun2022.

Session 1 17:30-19:30

Session 2 19:30-21:30

Written by Gordon Kirk on 31May2022; updated 2Jun2022.


26 April 2022

no play on 2 May 2022

There will be no badminton club on 2nd May as it's a bank holiday.

Written by Gordon Kirk on 26Apr2022.


9 February 2022

no play on 28 February 2022

There will be no badminton club on 28th February as the gym is required by the school for examinations.

Written by Gordon Kirk on 9Feb2022.


7 December 2021

playing hours

Please note that our current playing hours are:

That amounts to 5 or 6 court-hours each Monday on two or three courts.

We have a firm booking on two courts; we will book the third court ad hoc if it's available. In short, we will tune our use of the third court to the demand on the night.

Written by Gordon Kirk on 7Dec2021.


7 December 2021

play over Christmas 2021

Our last day of play in 2021 will be 20th December. We start 2022 on Monday 10th January.

Written by Gordon Kirk on 24Nov2021, updated 7Dec2021.


14 September 2021

playing hours

Please note that our current booked playing hours are:

That amounts to 5.5 court-hours each Monday on three courts.

If we find that we need more or fewer hours we can change them.

Written by Gordon Kirk on 14Sep2021.


31 August 2021

AGM 2021 - new date

we've decided to hold the AGM on the following Monday (ie: 13Sep2021). All other details as before.
Apologies for any inconvenience.

Written by Gordon Kirk on 31Aug2021.


24 August 2021

AGM 2021

We propose to hold this year's AGM on 6th September 2021 at 8pm.
We'll suspend play for the AGM.

The agenda will be:

  1. Chairman's Report
  2. Treasurer's Report
    The circulated finance report is relevant.
    See "9123 20210825 finance report v02.pdf"
  3. Membership and subscriptions
    The circulated paper is an updated version of what I have proposed before.
    It has been amended to take account of comments made by Members.
    See "9122 20210812 proposed payments.pdf".
  4. Appointment of Officers and Committee Members
    Alan is prepared to continue as Chairman.
    Gordon is prepared to continue as Treasurer.
    Gordon is prepared to continue as Secretary but would welcome anyone else taking on the role.
  5. Social Functions
    To be discussed.
  6. AOB

Written by Gordon Kirk on 24Aug2021.


19 July 2021

play from 19 July 2021

From tonight, play is from 6:30 until 9:00pm.

We shall have only one court for the first half hour and then two courts. If we need another court and it's available we can have have that too.

Written by Gordon Kirk on 19Jul2021.


11 May 2021

play from 17 May 2021

We are able to restart playing badminton on 17May2021 (next Monday).

For the next five weeks at least, this will be subject to the rules that applied last autumn, so you need to email me in advance if you want to play. After that, I hope we shall be able to play as normal.

Play will be from 7pm until 9pm.

We are now being charged more so we have to raise subs. Short-term, the charge will be £5 a week. When we see better what our membership count is we can decide new fees at the AGM.

Payment will continue to be via your account; don't bring cash. Most people are in credit; I'll let you know when you need to top up your account. If you need a statement, just ask.

Looking forward to seeing you again on Monday. In the meantime, if you have any questions or comments, feel free to email me.

Written by Gordon Kirk on 11May2021.


18 March 2021

return to play, 17 May 2021

We should be able to play badminton again as determined by the Government's time plan as follows.

JMHS have increased their charges to us by 18%, so we have to increase our subs. Play will now cost £5 instead of £4.

When it's clearer whether social distancing will be re-applied or not we can decide what to do about charges (eg: whether to continue as now or whether to go back to the old ways). I suggest we do this in September if we can. In the meantime we shall continue with the charging system we used last autumn (but with £5 instead of £4).

Written by Gordon Kirk on 18Mar2021.


3 November 2020

suspension of play

Sadly, there will be no LBC badminton until further notice; this will be 7 December at the earliest. Check this page for news.

Written by Gordon Kirk on 1Nov2020, updated 3Nov2020.


2 November 2020

Play cancelled for this day

The school needs the gym for exams; we have cancelled the Club's session for this day.

Written by Gordon Kirk on 25Oct2020.


21 September 2020

Play resumes today 19:00-21:00

The gym will be open again tonight so we can play.

Play will be according to the Covid-19 Guidelines.

Written by Gordon Kirk.


10 September 2020

No play on Monday, 14 September 2020

There will be no play on Monday 14Sep2020 because of the lack of clarity in HMG's recently revised lockdown rules.

To quote the email from JMSport:
"We have reached the decision that it would be prudent to close the centre for one week until we are clear on the mitigations required to enable recreational sport to continue at JMSport";
and further:
"The closure week will give us the necessary time to determine which sports are permitted to play and to give clubs time to complete the Risk Assessment documents previously issued by JMSport".

I'll post more here when there is more known.

Written by Gordon Kirk.