Career
She first came to prominence in 1958 winning the National Junior singles title. After the step up to senior competition she reached the final of the 1963 All England Badminton Championships singles losing out to Judy Hashman. The controversy over her opponent picking up an old slow shuttlecock to finish off the game changed how used shuttles are now discarded.
Although never winning an All England title Bairstow became a significant player winning a host of titles from 1964-1968 including the Scottish Open, German Open, Dutch Open, Asia Cup, Irish Open, English National Badminton Championships and European Badminton Championships.
Caring for her sick doubles partner overnight before losing the women"s doubles final the next day. She repeated the triple at the first Asian Championships in 1965 in Lucknow.
After which the organisers banned non Asian players from entering. Bairstow brought to prominence a deceptive backhand sliced serve and flick had her opponents stand back an extra 6 inches from the service line for fear of being embarressed as the shuttlecock flew over their heads.