Move to restore top town tournament

The Tournament, which would have got under way yesterday (Thursday) had it still been up and running, hasn't been contested since its 30th anniversary staging in 2003, due to the refurbishment of the De La Warr Pavilion.

The historic seafront venue is scheduled to re-open in late summer, but it is now being run by a charitable trust and not Rother District Council.

"I would love to see it return," said Mike McCarthy, part of the event's six strong committee following Brian Hobden's move to the West Country. "As far as we're concerned it's the main tournament in the area because the atmosphere there is so unique. It's such a nice place and it's so relaxing there - other tournaments don't provide the same facilities.

"But whether it will return, I honestly don't know. I'm going to start putting out feelers, but there are two matters of prime concern to us - the revised rates, the way they were going to charge for the hall was going to go up considerably, and sponsors.

"It's very much reliant on us being able to get a concession from the council (for using the facility). That's what I've got to find out and that's only if the De La Warr want us to use it because I know the direction it's going in is very much arts orientated. If costs were going to be roughly the same as they were, it's still dependent on us being able to attract sponsors."

McCarthy added that the committee has "asked people" about the possibility of seeking an alternative venue if the De La Warr proves a non-starter, although that is considered unlikely due to anticipated costlier charges elsewhere and the De La Warr's popularity.

Often boasting a line-up in excess of 300 competitors and 20 events spread over the course of 18 days, the Bexhill Badminton Tournament was probably the largest event of its kind in the South of England. It was a big hit with the top players in Sussex and many people crossed county boundaries to take part.