The game of badminton was first invented in 1873 and named after Badminton House,
Gloucestershire, where it was first played. The shuttlecock, a cork base with
real feathers and a battledore was used to strike it. This was a wooden round bat or
racquet. The game was known as Shuttlecock and Battledore or Badminton.
1926
Lord Onslow gave land for a village hall to be built in West Clandon.
The builder, a Mr Williams who liked the game, was responsible for building
the hall with extra brick height, for the game of Badminton to be played.
1928
In the newly built hall, the Queen's Club Clandon started. This was a very social
and elite affair, for an enthusiastic group of local people.
From the onset of World War 11, (1939) all village halls were used for other
activities and badminton in Clandon, had to stop.
1945
After the war, some of the Queen's Club Members went to play with
the Cygnet Club, at the Drill Hall in Godalming. Then in 1946 the
players returned to the Clandon Village Hall (Among these players were
Hilda Hansell and her husband Bob.) The Club was known now,as 'Queen's
Badminton Club' Clandon.
1947
Queen's Badminton Club, entered a mixed team in the South London
League and won the league title the following year. After several years, the
club dropped out of the league due to travelling and transport problems.
1954
The Guildford League was started ( Bob Hansell was the instigator,
with John Field of Clandon and other Godalming members).
The 5 founder clubs were: Queen's Clandon, Cygnet Godalming, St. Saviours,
Stoke and Worplesdon.
Bob Hansell gave 2 challenge cups to the league for .
the Mens and Mixed Doubles.The league also started a tournament for mens
and ladies singles, mens and ladies doubles and mixed doubles. Queen's
Clandon names were well represented as winners. Over the years the league
had divisions, the tournaments grew and Queen's Clandon continued to keep
their name in the forefront.
1971
When Hilda Hansell retired from playing badminton, she presented
the club with a silver challenge cup. The following year the club started a
Hansell Tournament (Mixed Handicap) to be held at the end of each season.
Each year Hilda Hansell has returned to present the Challenge Cup.
1984
The Club changed it's name to: Clandon Badminton Club, dropping
the word 'Queen's'.
1994
The Guildford League presented Clandon, one of the 5 founder
members of the league, with a plaque to mark their 40th anniversary.
1999
A positive decision was made by the club, at the AGM to move to
St. Peter's Sports Hall, Merrow, where 2,3 or 4 courts are available.
(Debbie Geaves and Janet Kidd, researched and negotiated the move).
Over this period Worplesdon Badminton Club disbanded and the majority
of the players joined Clandon, to play at Merrow. The club has grown in
strength and it has maintained it's social life and high standard of play.
(Events upto year 2000 will be added soon)
