5th August 2024
COWAL BADMINTON ASSOCIATION CELEBRATES CENTERNARY
A dinner/dance will be held later this year at the Queen’s Hall to celebrate the centenary anniversary of the Cowal Badminton Association (CBA).
The Association has been active in Cowal since 1923 with Badminton booming during the early 20th century – especially in Scotland.
Run by volunteers, The CBA, takes place on a Monday and Wednesday night in the Gymnasium Halls of Dunoon Grammar School.
To celebrate the centenary, the Association is hosting an Anniversary Buffet Dance at the Queen’s Hall on Friday 8th November.
CBA President Robin Towart said:” It’s an honour and a privilege to be hosting this amazing event to celebrate the centenary of Cowal Badminton Association. We have a great Badminton community in Dunoon and this event will also celebrate the fantastic people that have put so much into the Association over the years.”
Over 150 guests are expected to attend the celebrations with invitations sent to several special guests who are hopefully able to attend.
On the night of the Buffet Dance, several past trophies – dating back to the 1920’s - will be on display. Old records, results and other memorabilia will be on easels and displayed in the hall.
Former CBA President William Ferguson said: “Badminton has survived and triumphed in the Cowal area for a number of reasons. It’s an inexpensive sport and we’re fortunate to have such good facilities locally, whether it’s in village halls, The Queen’s Hall or The Grammar School. It’s an activity that any age can participate in, and Badminton is a sport that can be played no matter the weather which is perfect for Dunoon’s climate. The Association has held Badminton together since 1923 – and that’s something to cherish and celebrate.”
With around 70 active members – ranging from Junior to Senior members – the club is still trying to reach the highs of its membership pre the Covid-19 Pandemic.
A drop in membership has been felt all over the country despite Badminton being the second most popular participation sport in the world only behind football.
The season runs from September to March but to encourage new members, the Club is planning on having an “Open Night” for all in September. Rackets and Shuttles will be provided on the night.
Towart said: “New players are always welcome at the Association, and everyone is included.”
The Association is also appealing to Observer reader’s regarding a number of gaps in the Association’s history.
They are hoping to trace two individuals who are extremely important to the history of the Association. The first individual, Norman M Glen, presented one of the first awards given by the Association in 1923 while the second individual, Lady Primrose of Garail, presented a trophy for the winner of the Mixed Doubles in 1930.
The Association would also like to identify members of the photo, the Cowal Badminton Association Class of 1972 with their trophies, and trace any relatives. They are also keen to trace any lineage to the original members who started when the Association was founded in 1923.
Anyone who knows anything to do with the Association whether it be old documents, pictures or trophies, please contact either, Gordon McKinven on 01369 702783, Robin Towart on 07825745397 or Craig Anderson on 07751224349.
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