Felixstowe Shuttlers Badminton Club

24/03/2024

To all Shuttlers Members

Due to a recent influx of new members, and the decision of the committee to cap the membership at 32 players, we reluctantly have to declare that Shuttlers is now closed to new members and guests. To increase the number would, as last week’s session indicated, risk having players sitting out for long spells during the evening.

It is good that we are thriving once again but we know that it will be disappointing to those who would like to join us and to those who would like to come along as guests.
We will keep a waiting list for potential new members, so that places can be filled if anyone drops out.

Please pass on the word to anyone you know who might be interested in joining us in the future.

It is also important, when there are 20+ players, to use the ‘peg-board’ system, and to pick the next foursome as soon as possible without waiting until a court becomes free. If you’re uncertain how to use the pegboard please ask one to the committee members (Rob, Theresa, Colin, Hugh, Philippe).

There has been a recommendation that a WhatsApp group for members would be helpful, for quick communication about closures, absences etc. I will set the group up and you will get an invitation to join but if you’d rather not do so, just decline the invitation.

With best wishes for a Happy Easter!
(And remember no badminton on 3rd and 10th April.

Hugh

Treasurer
Felixstowe Shuttlers Badminton Club

07921 268763

18/03/2024

Please note that due to the school Easter holiday, there will be no Badminton Club night on Wednesday 3 April and Wednesday 10 April.

23/11/2023

To all shuttlers and regular visitors

The Club committee met on Tuesday evening and, following the recent happy surge of new subscriptions, made a few key decisions. Please make yourselves aware of the following:

Membership Cap
The club will cap the number of members at 32. We currently have 30 signed up, and therefore have space for just two more.
Sadly, once the cap is reached, we will no longer be able to welcome guest visits, but we will maintain a waiting list of anyone who wants to join when a space comes free.

Peg-Board
In order to maximise the playing time in a fair and friendly way for all players, a peg-board system will be in operation. This might look complicated - but is simpler than it looks. I’ve lifted the following from another club’s site!
On arrival, select your peg and place in the `Waiting' area of the board, i.e. you should join the queue of players waiting to play (no queue jumping!).
The first player "Waiting' selects three other players from the next five waiting to play. They then play on the next free court (moving their pegs to the `Playing" area of the board when they go).
Players coming off court return their pegs to the `Waiting' area. Pegs of the winning pair are placed on the board before the pegs of the losing pair.
Game Points
The committee agreed that games will play to 21 points as normal, but will keep this under review and may decide to limit games to 15 if waiting time becomes excessive.

Playing Time
Our hall-booking officially runs from 7.30pm - 9.00pm and there is a risk that the school might choose to charge us extra if we exploit the courts outside these hours. Members are asked to respect the arrangements and not start before 7 and to leave the courts by 9.

And on a seasonal footnote, Colin, as social secretary, will be canvassing views about whether to organise a social get-together (a meal or a few drinks) early in the New Year. Please let him know if you would be interested in such an event.

With best regards

On behalf of the Committee,
Hugh Pierce
Treasurer
Felixstowe Shuttlers Badminton Club

07921 268763

15/11/2023

Shuttlers Badminton Christmas Closure

To all Shuttlers and Potential Shuttlers

Please be aware that the school will be closed, and there will be no badminton, on Wednesday 27th December and Wednesday 3rd January.

Back as usual from Wednesday 10th January.

With best regards

Hugh Pierce
Treasurer

07921 268763

22/09/2023

Wednesday 27th September

Dear all,

I've been advised that because of a school event next week the sports hall will be unavailable to us on the evening of Wednesday 27th September.
I’m sorry for the short notice, but I have only just been told.

Look forward to seeing you the following week.

With regards
Hugh

Treasurer, The Shuttlers Badminton Club
07921 268763

04/09/2023

Felixstowe Shuttlers Badminton Club Subscriptions 2023/24

Welcome to a new year of Felixstowe Shuttlers Badminton! It’s very pleasing that so many new members have joined over the last year. The club is in a much healthier position than it was a year ago when we were just restarting following the school’s long pandemic closure.

Please find attached an application form and rules document for this year’s membership, if you would like a PDF version emailed, please let us know).

Completed forms can be returned by email, in person when you next attend or by post (to me at 7 Dalton Road, Ipswich IP1 2HT). Payment can be made by bank transfer, cheque or cash. Please note that our bank account has changed since last year, so don’t rely on an old form for the details!

To help secure the financial viability of the club, the committee has agreed to make the following changes to the rules:

a) annual sub increased to £85
b) an option to pay a six month membership sub of £50 - if taken up before end December
c) guest fee of £5 per session - with a limit of 6 guest sessions before having to become a member
d) guest fees already paid will not be taken into account if/when full membership is taken out - i.e pro rata subscription will be due from the date of joining to the end of August '24.

For information, the club committee members are:
Theresa Adams
Robert Auld
Philippe Caumont
Andy Corder
Hugh Pierce
Roy Proctor
Eric Toyne
Colin Willis

Hope to see you on Wednesday,

With best regards

Hugh Pierce
Treasurer, Felixstowe Shuttlers Badminton Club
07921 268763

25/08/2023

After our summer break at Brackenbury, we are very pleased to advise that from next week club nights will return to Wednesdays at the Felixstowe School.

We look forward to seeing you all.

25/07/2023

Tonight

Don’t forget, for the next 5 weeks Badminton is on a Tuesday at Brackenbury Sports Centre.

Usual £4 fees apply unless you are a fully paid up member (which is included at no further cost).

Centre Info:

Brakenbury Sports Centre
High Road East,
Felixstowe,
Suffolk,
IP11 9JF.

What3Words: ///gangs.ample.mobile

21/07/2023

Dear Shuttlers (and regular Guests)

Felixstowe School hall is unavailable for the next five weeks due to its use by the School's Summer Club - so we will next meet there on Wednesday 30th August.

In the meantime, from Tuesday 25th July until Tuesday 22nd August, we have two courts booked at Brackenbury Sports Centre from 7pm to 9pm. If the demand is there, we may be able to add a third court. Please be patient as there will be less playing time than usual if numbers stay as they’ve been for the last few weeks.

Costs will be as if the club is operating normally - so free to paid-up Members, £4 per session for Guests. If I’m not there, please settle up with Philippe or another committee member.

The new membership year begins in September. The committee has decided that the subscription rate will be set somewhere between £70 and £90 for the 23/24 year. To help set the right figure it would be very useful to know how many of you intend to sign up as members from September. An indication by response to this message via call or text to my number below would be very helpful.

With best regards

Hugh

(Committee members are Philippe, Hugh, Theresa, Colin, Rob, Andy, Eric & Roy)

Hugh Pierce
Treasurer, Felixstowe Shuttlers Badminton Club.
07921 268763

13/07/2023

To all current Club members.

Following a decision by the club committee, I can report that the Shuttlers Badminton Club is now affiliated to Badminton England (BE), the national sports body for badminton.

There were two reasons for this decision:
a) to increase the club's profile and to help with promotion of the club to prospective new members
b) to take advantage of Badminton England's insurance cover for all affiliated clubs.

Club affiliation benefits can be seen at https://www.badmintonengland.co.uk/membership/club-affiliation/ The insurance provides public liability insurance for the club (ie its officers and members).

It is also possible for individual club members to become BE members. See https://www.badmintonengland.co.uk/membership/
The lowest membership rate is just £10 for a Social Player.

With regards

Hugh Pierce

Treasurer
Felixstowe Shuttlers Badminton Club

Membership Badminton England Membership Packages 2022/2023 All prices below are valid from the 1st November 2022. More information on 2022/2023 club affiliation and club player memberships Find Out More NBC membership to book courts and play badminton at the National Badminton

11/07/2023

Shuttlers Badminton through July/August

To all current members and potential members of Felixstowe Shuttlers.

I’m sorry to report that the Felixstowe School Sports Hall is going to be unavailable for badminton from Wednesday 28th July to Wednesday 23rd August. The school is running a Summer Camp and the hall will be full of bouncy castles!

It is a pity as we’ve recently built up a goodly new membership. I hope we'll see you over the next two Wednesdays - and I trust you’ll be back on Wednesday 30th August.

The committee is looking into the possibility of block-booking a couple of courts at Brackenbury over those five weeks, and I’ll let you know if that happens.

With regards
Hugh Pierce
Treasurer, Felixstowe Shuttlers Badminton Club

07921 268763

04/07/2023

No Felixstowe Shuttlers this week

Sad to report that the sports hall is in use for something else this week and so there will be no badminton on Wednesday 5th July.
Sorry for the short notice, but the school has only just informed us.