Two of Penarth’s most prominent sports clubs have received a welcome boost with the news that their long-term future looks to be secure.
Both the Penarth Gymnastics and Boxing clubs were facing uncertain futures, but they will now be housed in St Paul’s Church on Arcot Street.

St Paul's Church: Possibly the new home of Penarth's finest gymnasts and boxers

The Gymnastics Club which is run by 75-year-old former Olympian, Gwynned Lingard faced being left homeless as a result of the Pavilion Project which is coming into fruition. The club, which was set up by Mrs Lingard in 1961, has been based in the Grade II listed building on Penarth’s Pier for the last 10 years. But with the redevelopment of the Pavilion, the club was facing an uncertain future.
Dave Nebitt, the Vale of Glamorgan Borough Council’s Operational Manager for Leisure and Tourism, said: “We’re at an exciting time in terms of the Penarth Pavilion development and the art centre there.
“But obviously that means the Gymnastics can no longer be there. St Paul’s Church is now vacant and housing the gymnastics club there is an option, with the possibility of including the boxing club in this.”

The Penarth Boxing Club has been housed at the church, which overlooks the Billybanks housing estate, for more than 35 years, and used to run alongside a martial arts club, whic has subsequently moved on.

The Gymnastics Club have been told they can move into the disused section of the Church while the Boxing Club remain in the back section. The idea is then, for the two clubs to form a charitable trust which will own and run the site.

Dan Willis, chair of the boxing club committee, said: “We were approached by the Vale about keeping the place. They were looking at different usage for the building and we were expecting it to be sold off for flats.
“But they have approached us, to apply for trust status and they will then hand over the building.”

Penarth Pavilion: The Gymnastics Club's current home

Mrs Lingard added:  “It’s brilliant news, and we are certainly hoping it will happen. We have to apply for a Community Asset Transfer Grant and from there it’s all systems go.
“Luckily the building is basically sound

and only needs some minor work. I know the boxing club have had problems with a leaking roof and need new  flooring, but hopefully now that can all be sorted.”

Both clubs have played a prominent role in the community with Penarth Gymnastics Club, one of only two clubs in Wales open to both able-bodied and disabled people.
Mrs Lingard said: “We have people who have been with us since they were six or seven years old and are still with us, and our eldest is now 35. We have people with all sorts of disabilities, learning, physical, sensual, people who suffer from autism, Down’s syndrome and cerebral palsy.
“What is even more exciting is the fact that we are looking to employ some of our adult special needs gymnasts to work in the new club.

It’s quite an enormous community project.”

Both clubs have produced champions on both the national and international stage in recent years and only two weeks ago three boxers came away from the Welsh Preliminary Championships victorious. Gymnasts from the Penarth club claimed six golds, four silver and two bronze medals at the World Championships for disabled gymnasts in Shanghai last year.
Neil Munn, who runs the boxing club, said: “It’s a real transitional period for the club.

Penarth Boxing Club: Two Young Guns

For 30-odd years we haven’t had a lot of help from the council, but these latest developments will make a big difference opening up a lot of new funding opportunities to us and securing our long-term future

“We have shown we can produce champions, so from here it’s onwards and upwards.”