THIS year Bridport Leisure Centre is planning a grand celebration of its 40th anniversary in September.
In the lead up to that event the News will be running articles on the history of the centre and the clubs that now call it home. Our thanks to leisure centre manager Nick Neale for telling us about its illustrious history.
GENERAL BACKGROUND TO THE HISTORY OF SPORT IN BRIDPORT
The history of the site of Bridport Leisure Centre as a sports and leisure ground can be traced to the establishment of Bridport Cricket Club in 1885. For some 200 years, the grounds have been owned by Palmers Brewery and sport has continued from then until now, free of charge, with the Palmer family support.
Swimming was at West Bay and learners dangled from harnesses into the harbour. The current swimming club, The Barracudas, is the successor of the original club.
Hockey started around 1960, on the outfield of the cricket pitch. In 1976 Bridport Hawks was formed.
There was no rugby club until 1968 and local players went to play for Dorchester.
Squash was the catalyst that lead to the facilities that are available today. There was a private squash court at Loders and it was used by some local people by permission of the late Lord Hood. but Anthony Palmer made a site available in the vicinity of the Cricket Pavilion and two Banbury concrete courts were erected, financed by gifts and interest-free loans from local enthusiasts. Bridport & West Dorset Sports Trust Ltd was created and registered as a charity. A lease of the squash courts was granted to the trust.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE SITE AT SKILLING HILL ROAD
Around this time Tony Palmer had made known his wish to provide sporting facilities in Bridport. An indication was given by West Dorset District Council that planning permission would be granted for residential development on what is now Watton Park if the proceeds were utilised to provide leisure facilities. Tony Palmer then transferred the undeveloped field to the trust as a charitable gift, the trust obtained planning permission and sold the land to a developer. The sale was completed in 1984 and the original leisure centre was completed in 1986.
In 1993 Bridport Rugby Club completed the construction of the Pavilion attached to the south-eastern flank of the sports hall and handed it over to the trust for it to run as part of the centre.
In 1983 BACIT came on the scene to act as a pressure group on WDDC to provide a swimming pool in Bridport. They raised £185,000 and persuaded the council to finance the building of a pool. It was constructed and Once completed the pool was handed over to the trust to be managed. A formal opening by Sharron Davies MBE Olympic medal winner took place on the September 4, 1994.
OPENING: Sharron Davies, Olympic swimmer, opening the swimming pool in 1996
The fitness suite at the centre was improved and expanded in 2012.
In 1995, the trust was gifted Hyde Real Tennis Court at Walditch by the late Joseph Gundry. It came into the ownership of the trust due entirely to the foresight of Cleeves Palmer, who persuaded Joseph Gundry that the trust could save the courtcourt could be saved if he were to leave it to the trust which, with the aid of grants and donations completed the restoration in January 1998. On June 13, 1998, Prince Edward opened the court. It is now operated by the Hyde Real Tennis Club.
HOW THE TRUST OPERATES
Bridport & West Dorset Sports Trust Ltd is a Company Limited by Guarantee which means that it has no shareholders but may have up to 50 company members. The Trust is run by a management committee comprising a chairman, vice-chairman, Hon. treasurer, Hon. secretary, two council members nominated by WDDC, two council officers nominated by WDDC, a town council member nominated by Bridport Town Council and up to 10 elected members who are appointed for three years.
The management committee appoints a general manager who reports back and is responsible to the management committee for the everyday running, promotion and development of the leisure facilities.
ROYAL VISIT: Prince Edward sings the visitors book overseen by Richard Salt, chairman, 1998
The current manager who has been in post since 2002 is Nick Neale.
IN CONCLUSION
This is a brief précis of the 40 years of hard work and commitment by numerous dedicated people who have given up endless hours of their own. Mention should be made of Arthur Watson MBE, president of the trust. He was a founding member and driving force behind the original squash courts. He chaired the trust during the construction of the original dry side Sports Hall and served as a committee member, vice-chairman and then chairman.
CHARITABLE STATUS & CHARITABLE DONATIONS
Bridport & West Dorset Sports Trust Ltd is a registered charity, number 267781. More information about donating can be obtained from reception or 01308 427464.
INVOLVEMENT IN THE RUNNING OF THE LEISURE CENTRE
If you are interested in becoming involved in the running of the facilities owned by the Trust by becoming a member of the company and eligible to be appointed to the management board call 01308 427464.
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