Chester community centre celebrates its 50th birthday

Westminster Park Community Centre held the special event on Saturday, September 9, featuring a fantastic children’s talent show with many acts ranging from gymnastics, magic, singing and even football skills.

Westminster Park Community Centre hosted its 50th birthday this month.

During the evening, local musician Luos Johnson entertained everyone who came out to celebrate, while special guests Cllr Razia Daniels and the local PCSO joined for the evening.

The Community Association was formed in March 1970 who organised many activities including badminton, keep fit, and children’s dancing. The group found that it became increasingly obvious that many activities could not be catered for purely because of a lack of suitable location.

Westminster Park Community Centre hosted its 50th birthday this month.

In order for the Community Association to continue its work and cater for the ever-changing population at the time, it was necessary to have a building with the plan that it would be the focal point in Westminster Park.

Jackie Vellenoweth was the first secretary who had the vision and energy to get the project of opening a community centre off the ground.

The land in which the community centre sits upon was donated by the Duke of Westminster. In order to build the community centre, money was donated by contractors, the council, the Royal Air Force and all the local residents who bought a brick.

Westminster Park Community Centre was officially opened on September 22, 1973 by Lady Jane Grosvenor.

Planning approval to build the community centre was granted on October 12, 1971, and the centre was officially opened by Lady Jane Grosvenor on Saturday, September 22, 1973. The sign dedicated to the opening by Lady Jane Grosvenor can still be seen today within the bar area.

The community centre is a charity which was set up specifically for the benefit of the residents of Westminster Park. The community centre was, and still is, used for many events in the area as well as housing Belgrave Preschool which opened in 1973 and is still thriving.

The centre was a magnet for local people with many locals gathering on Christmas Day, bringing one of their presents from under the tree to open together followed by playing football on the field. Bonfire night was also a big celebration each year.

Each and every evening the centre was full of activity, thriving with many locals meeting for a drink. The community centre had a huge input from the Royal Air Force personal who lived in the area who voluntarily ran the bar.

Around the time of the early 1980s a steward named Jill ran the community centre backed by a committee. When Jill sadly died, the running of the community centre reverted back to being ran solely by a committee of volunteers.

Over the years there has been input from many generous people both in terms of giving up their time and financially, one being Les Bennet. When Les passed away, he left money to the community centre which amongst over things the bell that still hangs in the bar today was purchased (1981).

In Les’s memory there is the Les Bennett Trophy. Activities for the trophy have included carpet bowels, dominoes, cribbage and darts.

Many residents will also remember Fred Wright. Fred helped the community centre significantly from the early 2000s until his death in 2014. In Fred’s memory, the centre has the Fred Wright cup for darts. Fred’s wife Carol chooses each year what area of the Countess of Chester Hospital to donate the money raised to.

Fast forward to the present day and the community centre’s ethos is still the same, which is to benefit the residents of Westminster Park.

The community centre remains voluntarily ran, Phil Williamson is the chairman backed by a team of loyal and dedicated people on the committee. The centre is used to host charity events which raise thousands of pounds every year, with a packed timetable of classes and groups throughout the week.

There are all sorts of social activities to get involved with including bingo, quizzes, a thriving darts team, open mic nights, plus activities for children such as discos and a baby and toddler group which is ran on the second and fourth Thursday of each month, hosted by Finding Harmony, a local not-for-profit organisation.

The bar is open each evening from 7.30pm in addition to Saturdays 11.30am-2pm and Sundays 11.30am-3pm. Children are offered free juice during weekend daytime opening hours and there is a selection of games to keep them entertained.

The centre can also host many private events such as birthday parties and christenings.

For more information about the centre, call 01244 671243, visit wp-cc.org.uk or follow the group's Facebook page at Westminster Park Community Centre.