Badminton Bonanza, Birmingham

**Matt Ross** · 06-17-2002, 05:12 PM

Yup,

Things like gladiators (not sure if anyone remembers that) but if i remember a lot of royal things go on in this place (?).
It has only just been used for things like the badminton bonanza, but you have to admit, theres not a hall like that round the corner!

Matt

**Slanter** · 06-18-2002, 08:07 AM

Have you ever played at Melksham in Wiltshire. I think that it used to be an aircraft hangar. It is probably the highest ceiling I have ever played under. It does have an effect on your timing and also your judgement of length. Another problem is the brass monkeys that hang around looking for a welder (yes, yes, pedantic ones, I know you can't weld brass!).

**Matt Ross** · 06-18-2002, 11:44 AM

Slanter,

Nope never played there. I've played in something similar to this 'tank hanger' you describe, called the Bannontyne Sports Centre. Here my judgement was bad, mainly because there were crappy blue lines for the badminton court on a dark green floor!
I've played at the Luton Regional Sports centre many times, last time being in March on this year for the ESBA School finals. Thats a nice spors hall, with a comfortable ceiling and floor to play on.

Matt

**Matt Ross** · 06-19-2002, 04:12 PM

Slanter,

Thanks for the sheet and dates that you gave me, i appreciate it.

Matt

**Chia** · 06-26-2002, 10:24 PM

the roof is not low. if u want low you should see my schools gym, such a pain in the arse.

**Matt Ross** · 06-29-2002, 10:47 AM

Hi,

I was joking

i know what you mean i have played in alot worse.

Matt

**Slanter** · 07-01-2002, 05:16 AM

I bet you have, Matt!

I played in Essex for a year in and around Colchester and they have some of the worst halls I have ever played in. Of course, that is not to say that here in Sussex we do not have our own little gems. Two that spring to mind are St Mary's in Lewes where the baseline actually runs up the side of the step to the stage. The other is St Augustine's in Brighton where the lights run along two full length balconies just to each side of the court, consequently a drive down the line results in a strobe-like effect where the shuttle disappears and reappears in mid-flight. You had better believe that the locals know exactly how to play to the conditions too!

Up your way there was this place called Wix where if I stood in a rear corner and reached straight up the beams on the ceiling were level with the middle of the shaft on my racquet. I hit a lot of drives instead of smashes that night.

I think that this happens a lot in England where many clubs still play in old church or village halls intended for completely different and not complimentary uses. Many have now moved to leisure centres but not all. It is difficult to say that all clubs should move to decent venues because without the small village halls and local church leagues the world would not have the game of badminton.

I draw the line at playing with plastic shuttles though. I could also do without the standard picture of the Queen staring at me from the far wall, although she did make a good target practice every now and again.

***Cheung*** · 07-01-2002, 08:34 AM

God Save the Queen!

**Matt Ross** · 07-01-2002, 06:03 PM

I've played a club game where the oppositons hall was a small little hall, and you couldn't lift it! Everytime you did, and it hit he roof, it would be called as a fault!! Actually i'll make a thread on this in General Forum under 'To all club players'

Matt

**Slanter** · 07-03-2002, 05:44 AM

Matt

If you send an SAE to the BAofE marked 'events diary' they will send you next seasons diary early in August.

**Matt Ross** · 07-03-2002, 02:27 PM

Slanter,

Great stuff mate. I'll send off a letter soon.

Matt

**Matt Ross** · 07-20-2002, 12:34 PM

Hi,

Well it's coming up and was just wondering how many people are going? Slanter, you coming down here or what? Me and my doubles partner are going down there to see how we get on, today we beat my 2 coaches 15-8, one being the ex european number 3