Famous badminton players from all over the country attended an 80th birthday party for the President of Rossendale Badminton League.

Peter Wood celebrated his birthday and marked 50 years in the role of league president by receiving a special book entitled ‘Not Bad For A Lad From Haslingden’, as a present.

It compiled special thoughts, memories and good wishes, and as Peter’s way of saying thanks, he organised a party at Ramsbottom Cricket Club.

Days before his 80th birthday, the ex-England player who started his career in Haslingden invited his friends and family, where they were treated by a free bar, pies and peas.

Peter also invited everyone, young and old, who had written in his book.

In 1976, Lancashire became the champions of Great Britain. It was the first time since 1938 that the county had won the Inter County Championships.

That team then went on to win the Championships for the next eight years and many of the ex- county players who were in that team with Peter Wood were at the party

Some of the ex-England stars at the party were Sue Whitaker, Sara Sankey (who now runs the Sankey Academy, Milton Keynes) and Brian and Jill Wallwork, whose daughter Jenny is in the England team.

There were also many ex-Lancashire players, including Kathy Cashmere, Steve Denner, Steve Ramsbottom, Neil Long, Helen and Mark Pallett, Debbie Rigby, John Cocker, Lindsay Bracken and many more.

In 1968, Peter made a promise to give something back to badminton, the sport which has been 'his life', and has given his time on committees, as a coach, as a badminton captain, and has never asked for anything in return.

A proud Lancastrian, Peter represented his county and his country but has never forgotten his roots in Haslingden.

In Rossendale, the league uses the courts at the Adrenaline Centre in Haslingden.

The Rossendale Leisure Trust run facility is the only place in Rossendale where badminton courts can be hired at a cost of £15 an hour for adults and £8 for children.

Facility operations manager, Ross McCowan, said: “Badminton is such an easy and fun activity to do and most of our bookings here at Adrenaline are clubs and families, it provides a high level of fitness and great hand and eye coordination.

“If you are someone that struggles to stay motivated when trying to keep fit and healthy, this is the sport for you.

“Even if you are just looking for some social activity, most clubs here have great social events outside of the sport.”

To book a court call 01706 227016.