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Just to answer the above at the time the area was in need of a football club and the youth at that time had no interest in boxing so we do things what the youth want no what we think they want . With the school being open in the 1800s the place is steeped with history.
On the wall we have put parents, and pupils who attended the school some years back .
It all came about after the Christchurch school was to full thus the school opened in Belgrave rd as an overflow.
This went on for some years until Vale view primary school opened then the school in Belgrave rd closed
A lady came down from London called Betty Whitfield and got some of the movers and shakers together and in the 80s with no funds we met in a caravan in the old playground .
In those days people could still smoke, imagine that !!
Betty with Cannon Pollard s very big noise at the time wanted to raise £15,000 to buy the present building.
At the time people scoffed because that was like a
Million pounds today.
But Betty (before the national lottery) had a weekly draw winnings of £5, _3, and £1
And got the committee to knock on doors to get people to join the draw.
With a number of other find raising initiatives with her committee she raised the Dosh
Thus the association has kept the link with the local church, and the present day vicar Melissa serves on the committee, as have many involved in the church over the years.
Betty (sadly no longer with us )
After all her hard work became president which she was proud of, and she was recognised as a true leader.
The chairpeople changed over the years and it was always thought it wouldn't find the people to continue, but it always did , right up to today when I am honoured to follow in the footsteps of Betty as chairperson of the association, and today after a very difficult year following the pandemic, new members have continued to join and I'm pleased to report the hall is very nearly full!!..
From martial arts , to coffee mornings , to mums and toddlers, knit and natter, bingo three church groups ,
Plus much more.
Things look bright for the future .
Without Betty's vision in the 80s this would never have happened .
Thank you Betty