FOREST of Dean Gymnastics and Fitness Centre at Five Acres has celebrated its 20th anniversary.

Twenty years ago Forest of Dean Gymnastics Club moved into its purpose built premises after 11 years of fundraising and grant seeking. Finally grants totalling nearly £1m were approved, by the Foundation for Sports and the Arts and the National Lottery, enabling the project to go ahead.

Lynn Hammersly, of the gym, says: “Before the move the club had only 88 gymnasts aged five to16 and a few part-time coaches. Apparatus had to be set out and put away daily before training.

“Today the state-of-the-art gym has 440 members from one-year-olds to adults and it employs 20 staff. Thousands of Forest children have tried gymnastics at the club.

The gymnastics club runs regular sessions for 12 schools, organises the Forest of Dean primary schools competition annually, with around 180 entries each year, and includes Little Stars Nursery children in their weekly mini gym classes.

As well as gymnastics, the centre has a strong fitness membership with people of all ages and abilities using the two large fitness areas and exercise and dance studio.