Wimbledon Racquets and Fitness Club
Cranbrook Road • Wimbledon • SW19 4HD
Tel: 020 8947 5806
Dear Members,
We are sad to report that Graham Habbin died on 21st December, and his wife, Janet Habbin (née Brennan), died on 7th January. Graham moved into a nursing home in Sutton, Surrey approximately three years ago, and Janet moved into the same home to join him two or three months ago.
Graham was a line judge for very many years, officiating at the All England and, no doubt, other badminton events. He was a long-term member of our Club and played in the B-grade section. He was Chairman of the Badminton Committee for more than 20 years, worked tirelessly and meticulously for the Club, and was an Honorary Life Member. He was a keen and proficient photographer and a long-term member of Sutton Camera Club.
Janet, who was originally from Essex, was also a long-term member of the club, and played in the A-plus session on a Wednesday evening whilst still living north of the Thames. She was runner-up in the Ladies Doubles at the All England in 1967 when she partnered Judy Hashman. She represented Essex on numerous occasions in inter-county matches and is remembered by one of her younger compatriots as follows:-
“She made quite an impact on my badminton career. In fact, in her role as an Essex selector, she was instrumental in me making my Essex County team debut all those years ago. And of course, we all remember being beaten by that long-armed extreme cross-court shot which would leave you stranded at mixed doubles, and a shot that I have attempted to replicate many times, sometimes successfully and sometimes not!”
A fellow Wimbledon member recalls:-
“How difficult it was to get the shuttle beyond her reach. Just when you thought you might have succeeded, out went her arm and a wickedly fearsome return came back. And she was particularly difficult to beat at the net, her opposition being thwarted by those long arms time and time again. I realise now how little I knew about her because whenever we met, she was always interested in what I had to say, what I was up to. As a junior making the transition into the senior ranks, her encouragement and interest was incredibly valuable.“
The funeral arrangements are as follows:-
Monday 24th February at 2.00 p.m.
at North-East Surrey Crematorium, Lower Morden Lane, Morden, Surrey SM4 4NU
https://nescrematorium.gov.uk/
If anyone wishes to send flowers, these should be sent to:- W.A. Truelove & Son Ltd (funeral directors)
118 Carshalton Road,
Sutton, Surrey SM1 4RL
Flowers need to arrive with the funeral directors between 9.00 – 11.00 a.m. on the day of the funeral.
If anyone has any memories of Janet or Graham, I should be grateful if they would share these with me – in readiness for the eulogy at the funeral service.
Marion (Eyles)
marion.eyles@wimbledonclub.co.uk
02/02/2025
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