Clayton Amateur Boxing Club have confirmed Clayton Civic Hall will be their new base and the recently awarded Sport England, Community Asset Fund grant will allow them to transform the space into a boxing and fitness facility.
The Club has a long history of serving the community and is well known for providing a safe community for hundreds of children and young people, many of whom reach out to the club to help turn their lives around. John Brindle, volunteer at the club, works with vulnerable adults by day and devotes his spare time to running the club.
John Brindle, Head Coach and volunteer at Clayton Amateur Boxing Club said:
“We are a not-for-profit organisation, run entirely by volunteers. This £50,000 funding award is vital so we can meet growing demand and continue to help young people in our local community. Our relocation to Clayton Civic Hall means we can not only help more people, we can also expand what we do including encouraging more females to get involved with our programmes.
“Through investing in high-quality equipment, we will also be able to provide opportunities for young people and adults with disability or additional needs alongside our usual offering. I would like to thank all the organisations and those involved who helped make this happen, the support from our community is overwhelming.”
The club are currently in the process of creating a brand-new training matrix ready for their re-opening, please follow their website www.claytonamateurboxingclub.co.uk for further information and updates about their relocation to Clayton Civic Hall over the coming weeks.
Hyndburn Leisure Trust operate the Clayton Civic Hall facility on behalf of Hyndburn Borough Council. The boxing club will be joining other clubs and organisations who are also located within this central community space.
Over the next three years, the Trust plans to develop three Community Wellbeing Hubs in collaboration with Hyndburn Borough Council at: Clayton Civic Hall, West End Community Centre and Bank Mill House Community Centre.
The Wellbeing Hubs will be home to a broad mix of community activities, clubs and groups. They will be developed in partnership with local communities, engaging a wide range of people in positive wellbeing activities.
Lyndsey Sims, CEO of Hyndburn Leisure Trust said:
“It is really exciting to be welcoming such a fantastic organisation into Clayton Civic Hall. We have been working with the club over recent months to progress the development and their relocation is going to make such a difference to hundreds of people. The club has a strong track record of supporting people to manage behavioural and mental health issues and offers a positive activity for young people, who may otherwise engage in negative pastimes.
“Supporting organisations like Clayton Amateur Boxing Club is really important to us and we are now working to peruse additional external funding, which will improve energy efficiency at Clayton Civic Hall and help organisations within the facility long-term.”
Cllr Miles Parkinson OBE, Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council said:
“This project contributes to the wider ambition of Hyndburn to provide more high-quality opportunities which support residents to live healthy, active lifestyles. The Club, the Clayton community and all those who have been involved should be very proud of this achievement and we are really pleased they have chosen Clayton Civic Hall as their new home.
“Hyndburn are investing to bring back the Civic Hall building after the closure of Clayton Le Moors library. The repurposing of the building is part of a wider vision for Hyndburn which includes other buildings such as Mercer Hall in Great Harwood that will be repurposed after public consultation this month.”
The public consultation for Mercer Hall opens on Thursday 11th March and the online survey can be accessed alongside full information via: www.hyndburnleisuretransformation.co.uk
Local Clayton Councillors, Cllr Melissa Fisher and Cllr Tim O’Kane have been working alongside the club and Leisure Trust, campaigning and supporting this project over many months.
Clayton Cllr Melissa Fisher said:
“The news that Clayton Boxing Club finally have new premises in the heart of Clayton is fantastic for local residents. Not only does it mean the free space is being used, it will provide excellent opportunities for people to get fitter and learn new skills. The move is testament to members of the club working hard alongside Hyndburn Leisure Trust and local Councillors in Clayton, to see the dream now come true is an amazing achievement.”
Clayton Cllr Tim O’Kane added:
“After many months of planning and eagerly awaiting the move it is great things are now moving forward for the boxing club. I am delighted that they can now bring hope to all their keen young members with a fresh start and that by having the club at the heart of the town we keep the community values that Clayton folk treasure so much.”
If community groups or organisations are interested in hiring other available space at Clayton Civic Hall please email: hello@acccringtontownhall.co.uk
